Drakonian
adj ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Alternative spelling of Draconian. alt-of, alternative
"Probably neither Drako, nor the Lokrian Zaleukus, who somewhat preceded him in date, were more rigorous than the sentiment of the age: indeed the few fragments of the Drakonian tables which have reached us, far from exhibiting indiscriminate cruelty, introduce, for the first time, into the Athenian law, mitigating distinctions in respect to homicide; founded on the variety of concomitant circumstances."
Example
More examples"Probably neither Drako, nor the Lokrian Zaleukus, who somewhat preceded him in date, were more rigorous than the sentiment of the age: indeed the few fragments of the Drakonian tables which have reached us, far from exhibiting indiscriminate cruelty, introduce, for the first time, into the Athenian law, mitigating distinctions in respect to homicide; founded on the variety of concomitant circumstances."
Etymology
From Drakon + -ian; or, with Drako, a Hellenized spelling of Draconian.
More for "drakonian"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.