draconian punishment

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Draconian \Dra*co"ni*an\, a.
   Pertaining to Draco, a famous lawgiver of Athens, 621 b. c.
   Used especially in the phrase {Draconian punishment}.
   [1913 Webster +PJC]

   {Draconian code}, or {Draconian laws}, a code of laws made by
      Draco. Their measures were so severe that they were said
      to be written in letters of blood; hence, any laws of
      excessive rigor.

   {Draconian punishment}, punishment so severe as to seem
      excessive for the crime being punished.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]
    

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