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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)- An example of radical is a basic solution to a complex problem.
- 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
- of or from the root or roots; going to the foundation or source of something; fundamental; basic: a radical principle
- extreme; thorough: a radical change in one's life
- favoring fundamental or extreme change; specif., favoring basic change in the social or economic structure
- designating or of any of various modern political parties, esp. in Europe, ranging from moderate to conservative in program
- Bot. of or coming from the root
- Math. having to do with the root or roots of a number or quantity
Origin: ME < LL radicalis < L radix (gen. radicis), root
noun
- a basic or root part of something
- a fundamental
- a person holding radical views, esp. one favoring fundamental social or economic change
- a member or adherent of a Radical party
- 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
- Math.
- the indicated root of a quantity or quantities, shown by an expression written under the radical sign
- radical sign
Related Forms:
- radicalness noun
See radical in American Heritage Dictionary 4
adjective
- Arising from or going to a root or source; basic: proposed a radical solution to the problem.
- Departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme: radical opinions on education.
- Favoring or effecting fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions: radical political views.
- Linguistics Of or being a root: a radical form.
- Botany Arising from the root or its crown: radical leaves.
- Slang Excellent; wonderful.
- One who advocates fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions: radicals seeking to overthrow the social order.
- Mathematics The root of a quantity as indicated by the radical sign.
- Symbol R An atom or a group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron.
- 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
.Related Forms:
- radˈi·cal·ly adverb
- radˈi·cal·ness noun
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