draconian

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɹəˈkəʊ.ni.ən/, /dɹækˈəʊ.ni.ən/
• (US) enPR: drə-kō'ni-ən, IPA^(key): /dɹəˈkoʊ.ni.ən/

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• Rhymes: -əʊniən

From the Athenian lawmaker Draco, known for making harsh laws.

draconian (comparative more draconian, superlative most draconian)

1. Very severe or strict.

   The Soviet regime was draconian.

   The mayor announced draconian budget cuts today.

   • 2009, Stuart Macintyre, A Concise History of Australia, page 125:

     The conflict in the countryside resulted in a far more draconian punishment. The Southern Cross flag flew over the camps of striking shearers, who in revenge for their victimisation burned grass, fences, buildings and even riverboats […]

• (very severe): cruel, hard, harsh, Orwellian, rigid, strict, stringent

From Latin draco (“dragon”).

draconian (comparative more draconian, superlative most draconian)

1. (obsolete, except in fiction) Of or resembling a dragon.
   • 2006, Steven Erikson, Deadhouse Gates, Book Two, →ISBN, page 384:

     The dragon came low to the earth. It defied every image of a draconian being Kulp had ever seen.

   • 2009, Jacob Silvia, Qhoenix, page 73:

     A large sandwyrm (which isn't to be confused with a sandworm) popped its draconian head from the earth.

   • 1973, Doctor Who, Frontier in Space, by Malcolm Hulke.

     Although used as a noun, 'Draconion' is the name of a fictional, humanoid, dragon-like race from the 26th centuary, who originate the planet Draconia.

• (resembling a dragon): draconic, dragonish, dragonlike

• Conradian, noncardia