radical

Radical is someone who goes against social norms and who often advocates social change.

(noun)

An example of a radical was a hippie in the 1960's.

The definition of radical is something that is at the root of something, or something that changes, addresses or affects the major essence of something.

(adjective)

  1. An example of radical is a basic solution to a complex problem.
  2. An example of radical is the change that allowed women to vote.

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See radical in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

    1. of or from the root or roots; going to the foundation or source of something; fundamental; basic: a radical principle
    2. extreme; thorough: a radical change in one's life
    1. favoring fundamental or extreme change; specif., favoring basic change in the social or economic structure
    2. designating or of any of various modern political parties, esp. in Europe, ranging from moderate to conservative in program
  1. Bot. of or coming from the root
  2. Math. having to do with the root or roots of a number or quantity

Origin: ME < LL radicalis < L radix (gen. radicis), root

noun

    1. a basic or root part of something
    2. a fundamental
    1. a person holding radical views, esp. one favoring fundamental social or economic change
    2. a member or adherent of a Radical party
  1. Chem. a group of two or more atoms that acts as a single atom and goes through a reaction unchanged, or is replaced by a single atom: it is normally incapable of separate existence
  2. Math.
    1. the indicated root of a quantity or quantities, shown by an expression written under the radical sign
    2. radical sign

Related Forms:

See radical in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Arising from or going to a root or source; basic: proposed a radical solution to the problem.
  2. Departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme: radical opinions on education.
  3. Favoring or effecting fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions: radical political views.
  4. Linguistics Of or being a root: a radical form.
  5. Botany Arising from the root or its crown: radical leaves.
  6. Slang Excellent; wonderful.
noun
  1. One who advocates fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions: radicals seeking to overthrow the social order.
  2. Mathematics The root of a quantity as indicated by the radical sign.
  3. Symbol R An atom or a group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron.
  4. Linguistics See root1.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, of a root

Origin: , from Late Latin rādīcālis, having roots

Origin: , from Latin rādīx, rādīc-, root; see wrād- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • radˈi·cal·ly adverb
  • radˈi·cal·ness noun

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