Very severe, extreme, or serious, especially when describing actions taken to solve a problem. It often suggests strong measures that may have powerful or unpleasant effects.
From Greek 'drastikos' meaning 'active, effective', from 'dran' meaning 'to do, to act'. It entered English via Late Latin and French. The meaning shifted from merely 'effective' to 'extremely strong or severe in effect'.
Originally, a 'drastic' medicine was one that really worked—so strongly that it might cause violent side effects. The word kept the sense of power but lost the medical context. Today, calling a step 'drastic' suggests you’ve moved beyond normal limits into the territory of last resorts.
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