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Draconian: meaning, definitions and examples

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draconian

 

[ drษ™หˆkoสŠniษ™n ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

laws, measures

Draconian refers to laws or measures that are excessively harsh or severe. Often associated with punishment, the term derives from the name of Draco, a 7th-century BC Athenian legislator who was notorious for his severe code of laws. These laws, according to legend, were so strict that even minor offenses could result in extreme penalties. Consequently, the word draconian is often used to describe any legal or societal approach that seems unreasonably severe.

Synonyms

harsh, oppressive, rigorous, severe, strict

Examples of usage

  • The government implemented draconian measures to control the outbreak.
  • Many criticized the draconian penalties introduced for tax evasion.
  • The school's draconian rules left students feeling oppressed.

Translations

Translations of the word "draconian" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น draconiano

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เค เฅ‹เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช drakonisch

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ drakonian

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดั€ะฐะบะพะฝั–ะฒััŒะบะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ drakoล„ski

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ‰ใƒฉใ‚ณใƒ‹ใ‚ขใƒณ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท draconien

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ draconiano

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท drakonik

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋“œ๋ผ์ฝ”๋‹ˆ์•ˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏุฑุงุบูˆู†ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ drakonickรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ drakonickรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไธฅๅŽ‰็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ drakonski

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ drakรณnรญskur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดั€ะฐะบะพะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒ แƒแƒ™แƒแƒœแƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ drakonik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ draconiano

Etymology

The term 'draconian' originates from the name of Draco, a 7th-century BC Athenian legislator. According to historical accounts, Draco was appointed to codify laws for Athens, which at the time was struggling with political discord and unrest. He is said to have established a legal code that was notable for its severity, often prescribing harsh punishments. Legends suggest that even minor offenses, such as stealing a cabbage, resulted in death. As a result, the phrase 'draconian law' emerged to signify any legislation that appears excessively harsh. The word became more widely used in the 19th century and has since been adopted into English to describe laws or measures considered overly severe, regardless of the context.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,732, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.