Drastic
/ˈdræs.tɪk/noun
Severe, forceful, or extreme in effect or action.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek *drastikos*, from *dran* meaning “to do” or “to act,” so its oldest energy is less “extreme” and more “something that *gets things done*.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰer-
“to do, to act”
Ancient Greek
Greek
drân
“to do, act”
Ancient Greek
Greek
drastikós
“active, effective; inclined to act”
Late Latin
Latin
drasticus
“active, violent”
14th–16th Century
English
drastic
“purging or strongly purgative (of medicine)”
Modern English
English
drastic
“severe or extreme in effect”