Definition of Procrustes

1. Noun. (Greek mythology) a mythical giant who was a thief and murderer; he would capture people and tie them to an iron bed, stretching them or hacking off their legs to make them fit; was killed by Theseus.

Category relationships: Greek Mythology
Generic synonyms: Mythical Being

Definition of Procrustes

1. n. 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 of Procrustes

1. Proper noun. 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. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Procrustes

Proboscidea louisianica
Probyn
Procardia
Procavia
Procavia capensis
Procaviidae
Procellaria
Procellaria aequinoctialis
Procellariidae
Procellariiformes
Process Art
Prociphilus
Prociphilus tessellatus
Procnias
Procrustes (current term)
Procrustesian
Proctor
Procyon
Procyon cancrivorus
Procyon lotor
Procyonidae
Prod
Proddies
Proddy
Prods
Prof.
Progne
Progne subis
Programmes

Literary usage of Procrustes

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by George William Cox (1867)
"F'ir i further analysis of the myth, see Max Miller, Comparative Mythology, 54; and Cox, Godi aid Heroes, 49 &c. Procrustes (Gr. ..."

2. Village Life in Egypt: With Sketches of the Säid by Bayle St. John (1852)
"... of Lodgings—Interview with the Sheikh-el-Beled — A Difficulty—Taking the Census — A New Version of the Bed of Procrustes — A respectable House in the ..."

3. Brooks's Readers by Stratton Duluth Brooks (1907)
"Adapted from " Stories of Long Affo," Procrustes AND HIS BED As Theseus was skirting the Vale along the foot of lofty Parnes, a very tall and strong man ..."

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