radical

/radiˈkal/ · B2 · adj

radical, seismic

🌱 radical = from Latin radix, root: changes that go to the root

Spanish radical comes from Latin radix, meaning root. A radical change goes to the root of a thing instead of touching the surface. Same root as English radish, a root vegetable, and eradicate, to pull out by the roots.

More Spanish words · How Spanish works