procrustean

English
WOTD – 30 September 2007

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Procrustes +‎ -an.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /pɹəʊˈkɹʌsti.ən/
    • Audio (UK)(file)

Adjective

procrustean (comparative more procrustean, superlative most procrustean)

  1. Enforcing strict conformity through disregard of individual differences or special circumstances. [from 17th c.]
    • 1862, Anthony Trollope, chapter IX, in North America. […], volume I, London: Chapman & Hall, […], OCLC 1077935750:
      The object in choosing the political capital is average nearness of approach from the various confines of the State; but commerce submits to no such Procrustean laws in selecting her capitals, and consequently she has placed Detroit on the borders of Michigan, […]
    • 2011, Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Penguin, published 2012, page 287:
      The concept of an Age of Nationalism is a bit procrustean.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

References
  1. (please provide the title of the work)‎, accessed 6 June 2014, archived from the original on 2014-06-07
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