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Webster 1913 Edition


Procrustes

Pro-crus′tes

,
Noun.
[L., fr. Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to beat out, to stretch; [GREEK] forward + [GREEK] to strike.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
A celebrated legendary highwayman of Attica, who tied his victims upon an iron bed, and, as the case required, either stretched or cut of their legs to adapt them to its length; – whence the metaphorical phrase,
the bed of Procrustes
.

Definition 2024


Procrustes

Procrustes

English

Proper noun

Procrustes

  1. A celebrated legendary highwayman of Attica, who tied his victims upon an iron bed, and, as the case required, either stretched or cut off their legs to adapt them to its length.

Derived terms

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