procrustean bed

noun

often capitalized P
: a scheme or pattern into which someone or something is arbitrarily forced

Examples of procrustean bed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Politics submits to constitutional law on a procrustean bed. Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of procrustean bed was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near procrustean bed

Cite this Entry

“Procrustean bed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procrustean%20bed. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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