Word of the Day

: February 21, 2007

draconian

adjective, often capitalized dray-KOH-nee-un

What It Means

1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him

2 : cruel; also : severe

draconian in Context

Sue contends that the city's steep fine for jaywalking is a draconian form of punishment.

Did You Know?

"Draconian" comes from "Draco," the name of a 7th-century B.C. Athenian legislator who created a written code of law. Draco's code was intended to clarify preexistent laws, but its severity is what made it really memorable. In Draco's code, even minor offenses were punishable by death, and failure to pay one's debts could result in slavery. "Draconian," as a result, became associated with things cruel or harsh. Something "draconian" need not always be as cruel as the laws in Draco's code, though -- today the word is used in a wide variety of ways and often refers to measures (steep parking fines, for example) that are relatively minor when compared with the death penalty.

*Indicates the sense illustrated by the example sentence.