procrustean bed

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An arbitrary standard, especially one that is forced upon people for the sake of conformity and involves the sacrifice of what is useful.
noun
  1. Alternative letter-case form of procrustean bed.
noun
  1. Alternative letter-case form of procrustean bed.

Word forms

procrustean bed procrustean beds

Etymology

From the Greek myth about Procrustes, who assaulted people to make their body height conform to the length of a particular iron bed; see details at Wikipedia.

Related words

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