definition of the word radical

< French radical < Late Latin radicalis (“‘of or pertaining to the root, having roots, radical’”) < Latin radix (“‘root’”); see radix.

• enPR: rădʹĭk-əl, IPA: /ˈɹædɪkəl/, SAMPA: /"r{dIk@l/
• Homophones: radicle

radical (comparative more radical, superlative most radical)

1. (botany, not comparable) Of or pertaining to a root (of a plant).
2. Of or pertaining to the intrinsic nature of something.
3. Thoroughgoing.

   The spread of the cancer required radical surgery, and the entire organ was removed.

4. Favouring fundamental change, or change at the root cause of a matter.

   His beliefs are radical.

5. (linguistics, not comparable) Of or pertaining to the root of a word.
6. (chemistry, not comparable) Involving free radicals
7. (slang) Excellent.

   That was a radical jump!

• radicalness
• radicality
• radicalize
• radically
• radical empiricism
• radical feminism
• radical left
• radical pluralism
• radical reform
• radical right
• radical vinegar

• radix

Definition from Wiktionary Content avaible with GNU Free Documentation License

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