draconian

<font size="-1" face="arial, helvetica"> <p> <strong> <font color="#000066">Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 19, 2021 is:</font> </strong> </p> <p> <strong>draconian</strong> &#149; \dray-KOH-nee-un\&nbsp; &#149; <em>adjective</em><br /> <p><em>Draconian</em> means "cruel" or "severe." It is usually used to describe harsh laws, rules, or regulations.</p> <p>// Small businesses believe that the new tax is <em>draconian</em>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draconian">See the entry ></a></p> </p> <p> <strong>Examples:</strong><br /> <p>"Members of the public were mostly against the censure policy…. They said the policy was <em>draconian</em>, divisive and unnecessary." — Braden Cartwright, <em>The Daily Post</em> (Palo Alto, California), 14 Oct. 2021</p> </p> <p> <strong>Did you know?</strong><br /> <p><em>Draconian</em> comes from <em>Draco</em>, the name of a 7th-century B.C. Athenian legislator who created a written code of law. Draco's code was intended to clarify existing laws, but its severity is what made it really memorable. According to the code, even minor offenses were punishable by death, and failure to pay one's debts could result in slavery. <em>Draconian</em>, as a result, became associated with especially authoritative actions that are viewed as cruel or harsh.</p> <br /><br /> </p> </font>