RADICAL


Meaning of RADICAL in English

/ ˈrædɪkl; NAmE / adjective , noun

■ adjective [ usually before noun ]

1.

concerning the most basic and important parts of sth; thorough and complete

SYN far-reaching :

the need for radical changes in education

demands for radical reform of the law

radical differences between the sexes

2.

new, different and likely to have a great effect :

radical ideas

a radical solution to the problem

radical proposals

3.

in favour of thorough and complete political or social change :

the radical wing of the party

radical politicians / students / writers

4.

( old-fashioned , NAmE , slang ) very good

►  rad·ic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb :

The new methods are radically different from the old.

Attitudes have changed radically.

■ noun

1.

a person with radical opinions :

political radicals

2.

( chemistry ) a group of atoms that behave as a single unit in a number of compounds

—see also free radical

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WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English (in the senses forming the root and inherent ): from late Latin radicalis , from Latin radix , radic- root.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.