drastic
/ˈdræstɪk/
adjective
Origin
Ancient Greek
drastikos — active, vigorous
Overview
Meaning Now
- Having a strong or far-reaching effect; radical and extreme.
- Violent or severe in action or effect.
Literal older meaning
acting or working
Language path
Ancient Greek → Late Latin → English
Earliest form
drasticus
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The word originally entered English as a specialized medical term referring to purgatives or cathartics that acted with significant intensity upon the body. By the 19th century, the term was adopted into general political and social discourse to describe measures or changes that were similarly intense and forceful.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
drastikos
“active, effective”
Derived from dran (to do).
- Late Latin
drasticus
“active; referring to powerful purgative medicine”
- 17th century English
drastic
“acting powerfully (originally of medicine)”
Introduced into English via medical texts.
- 19th century English
drastic
“severe; extreme”
Generalization of the medical sense to describe non-medical actions.
Connections
Word parts
drast-
root
to do
-ic
suffix
pertaining to
Related across languages
Ancient Greek
drama
deed, action
Related words
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Related to drastic
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.