Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “drastically” come from?

Drastically derives from the English adjective drastic, from Ancient Greek δραστικός, from δράω meaning "to do or act," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dréwh₂-eti.

drastically (English): To a drastic degree; In a drastic manner

Definitions

  1. To a drastic degree; In a drastic manner

Ancestry of “drastically”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-allyAlternative form of -ly , used with adjectives in...
2EnglishahistoricSynonym of ahistorical
3EnglishhistoricVery important; noteworthy: having importance or...
4Latinhistoricushistorical
5Latinhistoriahistory; account; story
6Ancient Greekἱστορίαinquiry, examination, systematic observation,...
7Ancient Greekἱστορέωto inquire, ask; to examine, observe; to record,...
8Ancient Greekἵστωρone who knows law and right, judge; witness; a...
9Proto-Hellenicwístōr—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanwéydtōrone who has seen, one who knows
11Indo-European*weyd-—
Every word from Indo-European *weyd- →