drastic
EnglishEdit
Alternative formsEdit
- drastick (obsolete)
EtymologyEdit
From Ancient Greek δραστικός (drastikós, “active, efficient”), from δρᾶσις (drâsis, “strength, efficacy”), itself from δράω (dráō, “to do”).
PronunciationEdit
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdɹɑːs.tɪk/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈdɹæs.tɪk/
- Rhymes: -æstɪk
Audio (US) (file) Audio (AU) (file)
AdjectiveEdit
drastic (comparative more drastic, superlative most drastic)
- Having a strong or far-reaching effect; extreme, severe.
- 2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:
- Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around.
- If our third attempt fails, we may need drastic ideas.
- (Orig. of medicine) Acting rapidly or violently.
- 1871-72, George Eliot, Middlemarch:
- Great statesmen err, and why not small medical men? Mr. Wrench did not neglect sending the usual white parcels, which this time had black and drastic contents. Their effect was not alleviating to poor Fred [...]
Usage notesEdit
This word typically has a negative connotation. When describing positive, neutral, or non-frightening things, a less loaded synonym such as dramatic may be preferred instead. [1]
SynonymsEdit
- (severe): draconian
TranslationsEdit
extreme, severe
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NounEdit
drastic (plural drastics)
AnagramsEdit
RomanianEdit
EtymologyEdit
Borrowed from French drastique.
AdjectiveEdit
drastic m or n (feminine singular drastică, masculine plural drastici, feminine and neuter plural drastice)
DeclensionEdit
Declension of drastic
singular | plural | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
masculine | neuter | feminine | masculine | neuter | feminine | ||
nominative/ accusative |
indefinite | drastic | drastică | drastici | drastice | ||
definite | drasticul | drastica | drasticii | drasticele | |||
genitive/ dative |
indefinite | drastic | drastice | drastici | drastice | ||
definite | drasticului | drasticei | drasticilor | drasticelor |