drasticadj.n.
/ˈdrastɪk/, /ˈdrɑːstɪk/, U.S. /ˈdræstɪk/ A. adj.
1. Medicine. Of medicines: Acting with force or violence, vigorous; esp. acting strongly upon the intestines.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [adjective] > relating to powers or effects of drugs > powerful or vigorous
vehement?1541
rough1598
generous1632
effrenate1657
effrenous1657
drastica1691
Herculean1755
a1691 R. Boyle Wks. (1772) II. 190 (R.) After this single taking of the drastick medicine had done working.
1772 W. Buchan Domest. Med. (ed. 2) xxii. 268 All strong or drastic purgatives are to be carefully avoided.
1786 H. L. Piozzi Anecd. Johnson 76 His friend had prescribed palliative not drastic remedies.
2. transferred. Vigorously effective; violent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > [adjective] > greatly
mightyeOE
strongeOE
virtuous1340
rich?c1450
prevalent?a1475
energical1565
powerful?1567
powerable1580
magnipotent1599
virulent1599
validous1603
Herculanean1604
multipotent1609
energetical1610
prevailent1623
energetic1642
valid1656
energic1663
drastic1808
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > of action: involving or requiring vigour > vigorous or intense in operation
strongeOE
smartc1300
steevec1300
keen1340
piercinga1400
perceantc1400
forta1513
incisive1528
vigorous1548
forcible1555
emphatical1581
searching1590
nervous1616
strenuous1632
arrowy1650
intent1650
urging1658
sinewous1663
emphatic1689
drastic1808
needling1839
shrewd1842
gimlet1894
1808 J. Bentham Sc. Reform 27 In consideration of their too extensive and too drastic efficacy.
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. I. 274 Occasions..in which so drastic a measure would be fit to be taken into serious consideration.
1880 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times IV. lxiii. 424 Very comprehensive or drastic schemes.
B. n.
A drastic medicine; a severe purgative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > cleansing or expelling medicines > [noun] > purgative
laxativec1386
abstersive?a1425
purgative?a1425
lax1526
purgation1527
cleanser1528
looser1528
laskc1540
purger1558
solutory1561
scouring1575
expulsive1576
purge1593
solutive1605
opener1610
physica1616
calastic1621
loosener1630
minorative1633
relaxativea1637
cathartic1651
eccoprotic1656
vacuative1656
aperitive1671
spurger1681
aperient1682
hypercathartic1706
chalastic1708
scourer1718
drastic1783
solvent1815
purgament1828
dejector1831
laxation1897
mochlic1907
jollop1955
poop-pusher1966
1783 F. Michaelis in Med. Communications 1 318 Large quantities of the pills..acting as a drastic.
1863 C. Reade in All Year Round 3 Oct. 125/1 For want of drastics and opiates.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.a1691