noun
Dalek
DAH-lehk
noun
1
One of the robotic mutant villains from the British television series Doctor Who, known for their metallic casings, grating voices, and single-minded drive to "exterminate."
"The Daleks rolled down the corridor, screeching their catchphrase."
2
By extension, a person who acts in a rigid, unfeeling, and relentlessly aggressive way.
"Critics called the new policy pure dalek thinking — no room for compassion or exceptions."
How to Use Dalek
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe classic pepper-pot-shaped robot villains of Doctor Who, or an insult for someone acting coldly ruthless.
Word Forms
Daleks plural
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Etymology
Invented in 1963 by writer Terry Nation for Doctor Who; the exact inspiration is disputed, but it echoes the name of the Daleks' fictional predecessor race in the show.