1. (Philol.) (a) A primitive word; a radix, root, or simple, underived, uncompounded word; an etymon.
(b) A primitive letter; a letter that belongs to the radix.
The words we at present make use of, and understand only by common agreement, assume a new air
and life in the understanding, when you trace them to their radicals, where you find every word strongly
stamped with nature; full of energy, meaning, character, painting, and poetry.
Cleland. 2. (Politics) One who advocates radical changes in government or social institutions, especially such
changes as are intended to level class inequalities; — opposed to conservative.
In politics they [the Independents] were, to use the phrase of their own time, "Root-and-Branch men," or,
to use the kindred phrase of our own, Radicals.
Macaulay. 3. (Chem.) (a) A characteristic, essential, and fundamental constituent of any compound; hence, sometimes,
an atom.
As a general rule, the metallic atoms are basic radicals, while the nonmetallic atoms are acid radicals.
J. P. Cooke. (b) Specifically, a group of two or more atoms, not completely saturated, which are so linked that their
union implies certain properties, and are conveniently regarded as playing the part of a single atom; a
residue; — called also a compound radical. Cf. Residue.
4. (Alg.) A radical quantity. See under Radical, a.
An indicated root of a perfect power of the degree indicated is not a radical but a rational quantity under
a radical form.
Davies & Peck (Math. Dict.) 5. (Anat.) A radical vessel. See under Radical, a.
Radicalism
(Rad"i*cal*ism) n. [Cf. F. radicalisme.] The quality or state of being radical; specifically,
the doctrines or principles of radicals in politics or social reform.
Radicalism means root work; the uprooting of all falsehoods and abuses.
F. W. Robertson. Radicality
(Rad`i*cal"i*ty) n.
1. Germinal principle; source; origination. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
2. Radicalness; relation to a root in essential nature or principle.
Radically
(Rad"i*cal*ly) adv.
1. In a radical manner; at, or from, the origin or root; fundamentally; as, a scheme or system radically
wrong or defective.
2. Without derivation; primitively; essentially. [R.]
These great orbs thus radically bright.
Prior. Radicalness
(Rad"i*cal*ness), n. Quality or state of being radical.
Radicant
(Rad"i*cant) a. [L. radicans, p. pr.: cf. F. radicant. See Radicate, a.] (Bot.) Taking root
on, or above, the ground; rooting from the stem, as the trumpet creeper and the ivy.
Radicate
(Rad"i*cate) a. [L. radicatus, p. p. of radicari to take root, fr. radix. See Radix.] Radicated.
