radical
Definitions from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
[ English
[ Etymology
[ Pronunciation
[ Homophones
[ Adjective
radical (comparative more radical, superlative most radical)
- (botany, not comparable) Of or pertaining to a root (of a plant).
- Of or pertaining to the intrinsic nature of something.
- Thoroughgoing.
- Favouring fundamental change, or change at the root cause of a matter.
- (linguistics, not comparable) Of or pertaining to the root of a word.
- (chemistry, not comparable) Involving free radicals
- (slang) Excellent.
[ Derived terms
- radical empiricism
- radical feminism
- radical left
- radically
- radical pluralism
- radical reform
- radical right
- radical vinegar
[ Translations
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[ Noun
- (historical: 19th-century England) A member of the most progressive wing of the Liberal Party; someone favouring social reform (but generally stopping short of socialism).
- (historical: early 20th-century France) A member of an influential, centrist political party favouring moderate social reform, a republican constitution, and secular politics.
- A person with radical opinions.
- (arithmetic) A root (of a number or quantity).
- (linguistics) In logographic writing systems as the Chinese writing system, the portion of a character (if any) that provides an indication of its meaning, as opposed to phonetic.
- (linguistics) In Semitic languages, any one of the set of consonants (typically three) that make up a root.
- (chemistry) A group of atoms, joined by covalent bonds, that take part in reactions as a single unit.
- (organic chemistry) A free radical.
[ Derived terms
[ Translations
historical: 19th-century England
[ French
[ Pronunciation
[ Adjective and noun
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | radical IPA: /ʁa.di.kal/ |
radicaux IPA: /ʁa.di.kɔ/ |
| Feminine | radicale IPA: /ʁa.di.kal/ |
radicales IPA: /ʁa.di.kal/ |
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