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Simple English definitions for legal terms
draconian
Read a random definition: graduated-payment mortgage
A quick definition of draconian:
Draconian: A word used to describe a law that is very harsh and severe. It comes from the name of an ancient Athenian lawgiver named Draco. Another word for it is draconic.
Draff: This word means the leftover bits of something, like the dregs at the bottom of a cup or the sweepings of dust and dirt. When weighing things to sell, it doesn't count as part of the waste allowance for goods sold by weight.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Harsh or severe, especially when referring to a law. This word comes from the name of an ancient Athenian lawgiver named Draco.
Example: The new law that imposes a 10-year prison sentence for minor drug offenses is considered draconian by many people.
Explanation: The example illustrates the definition of draconian because it shows how a law can be considered harsh or severe. The fact that the punishment is disproportionate to the offense is what makes it draconian.
Definition: Refuse, dregs, or sweepings of dust and dirt.
Example: The janitor swept the draff from the floor and threw it in the trash.
Explanation: The example illustrates the definition of draff because it shows how the word can be used to refer to the waste material that is left over after cleaning or processing something. In this case, the draff is the dirt and dust that was swept from the floor.