Draconian code

Draconian code
Draconian Dra*co"ni*an, a. Pertaining to Draco, a famous lawgiver of Athens, 621 b. c. Used especially in the phrase {Draconian punishment}. [1913 Webster +PJC]

{Draconian code}, or {Draconian laws}, a code of laws made by Draco. Their measures were so severe that they were said to be written in letters of blood; hence, any laws of excessive rigor.

{Draconian punishment}, punishment so severe as to seem excessive for the crime being punished. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Draconian — Dra*co ni*an, a. Pertaining to Draco, a famous lawgiver of Athens, 621 b. c. Used especially in the phrase {Draconian punishment}. [1913 Webster +PJC] {Draconian code}, or {Draconian laws}, a code of laws made by Draco. Their measures were so… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Draconian laws — Draconian Dra*co ni*an, a. Pertaining to Draco, a famous lawgiver of Athens, 621 b. c. Used especially in the phrase {Draconian punishment}. [1913 Webster +PJC] {Draconian code}, or {Draconian laws}, a code of laws made by Draco. Their measures… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Draconian punishment — Draconian Dra*co ni*an, a. Pertaining to Draco, a famous lawgiver of Athens, 621 b. c. Used especially in the phrase {Draconian punishment}. [1913 Webster +PJC] {Draconian code}, or {Draconian laws}, a code of laws made by Draco. Their measures… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Draconian Justice —    , DRACONIC    Draco, an Athenian, was an archon, or chief magistrate, who, in the seventh century B.C., drew up a code of laws the first in writing noted for its severity. Previously justice was determined by the elders or by blood feuds. But… …   Dictionary of eponyms

  • draconian laws — A code of laws prepared by Draco, the celebrated lawgiver of Athens, that, by modern standards, are considered exceedingly severe. The term draconian has come to be used to refer to any unusually harsh law. Dictionary from West s Encyclopedia of… …   Law dictionary

  • draconian — 1876 (earlier Draconic, implied from 1640s), from Draco, Greek statesman who laid down a code of laws for Athens 621 B.C.E. that mandated death as punishment for minor crimes. His name seems to mean lit. sharp sighted (see DRAGON (Cf. dragon)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Draconian — [drə kō′nē ən, drākō′nē ən] adj. 1. of Draco or the harsh code of laws attributed to him 2. [often d ] extremely severe or cruel …   English World dictionary

  • Draconian (Doctor Who) — Doctor Who alien Draconians Type Reptilian humanoid Affiliated with Draconian Empire …   Wikipedia

  • draconian — (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) (VOCABULARY WORD) a. [dray KO nee un] harsh or severe, especially concerning a law or code; named after the code of Draco, from 621 b.c. Some favor taking Draconian measures to fight crime. SYN.: harsh, severe, strict,… …   English dictionary for students

  • draconian — adjective Usage: often capitalized Etymology: Latin Dracon , Draco, from Greek Drakōn Draco (Athenian lawgiver) Date: 1775 1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him 2. cruel; also… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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