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Webster 1913 Edition

Drastic

Dras′tic

,
Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to do, act: cf. F.
drastique
. See
Drama
.]
(Med.)
Acting rapidly and violently; efficacious; powerful; – opposed to
bland
;
as,
drastic
purgatives
.
–
Noun.
(Med.)
A violent purgative. See
Cathartic
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Drastic

DRASTIC

,
Adj.
[Gr., to make.] Powerful; acting with strength or violence; efficacious; as a drastic cathartic.

Definition 2024

drastic

drastic

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

drastic ‎(comparative more drastic, superlative most drastic)

  1. 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.‎
  2. Acting rapidly or violently.

Translations

Etymology

Ancient Greek δραστικός ‎(drastikós, “active, efficient”), from δρᾶσις ‎(drâsis, “strength, efficacy”), itself from δράω ‎(dráō, “to do”)

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdɹɑːs.tɪk/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈdɹæs.tɪk/
  • Rhymes: -æstɪk

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