Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Language: Greek
Origin: Drakon 'Draco', ancient Greek judge who had criminals killed for very small crimes

draconian

 adjective
     
dra‧co‧ni‧an
very strict and cruel
draconian measures/controls/penalties etc
draconian measures to control population growth
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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