Procrustean describes something that arbitrarily and ruthlessly forces conformity, ignoring individual differences. The term originates from the Greek myth of Procrustes, known for his cruel method of making people fit an iron bed.
Procrustean describes something that ruthlessly disregards individual differences and imposes uniformity, stemming from the Greek myth of Procrustes who fitted victims to a bed.
| Word | procrustean |
|---|---|
| Date | June 24, 2008 |
| Type | adjective |
| Syllables | pruh-KRUSS-tee-un |
| Etymology | Procrustes was one of many villains defeated by the Greek hero Theseus. According to Greek mythology, Procrustes was a robber who killed his victims in a most cruel and unusual way. He made them lie on an iron bed and would force them to fit the bed by cutting off the parts that hung off the ends or by stretching those people who were too short. Something "Procrustean," therefore, takes no account of individual differences but cruelly and mercilessly makes everything the same. And a "procrustean bed" is a scheme or pattern into which someone or something is arbitrarily forced. |
| Examples | The company abandoned its procrustean scheduling policy and began allowing single mothers and other employees to work more flexible hours. |
| Definition | 1 : of, relating to, or typical of Procrustes 2 : marked by arbitrary often ruthless disregard of individual differences or special circumstances |
Tags: wordoftheday::adjective
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