Pronunciation: [pɹə͡ʊkɹˈʌsts] (IPA) 
The word "procrustes" is spelled with a "c" and not a "k" despite the name's origin from Greek mythology. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /prəʊˈkrʌstiːz/. The "o" is pronounced as a long "o" sound and the "u" is pronounced as an "uh" sound. The "s" at the end is pronounced as a "z" sound. Overall, the correct spelling of the word "procrustes" is important for effective communication and understanding.
Procrustes is derived from Greek mythology and refers to a legendary figure who was a notorious criminal. In Greek mythology, Procrustes was a son of the sea god Poseidon, known as the "Stretcher" or the "Subduer". He was said to live in the region of Attica, near the Greek city of Eleusis.
Procrustes became infamous for his cruel and sadistic acts. He would invite travelers into his house and offer them a bed for the night. However, the bed was not an ordinary one. Procrustes had two iron beds of different sizes - one too long and the other too short. He would then forcibly stretch or amputate his guests' limbs to fit them onto one of his beds. In some versions of the myth, Procrustes would even decapitate his victims if they were too tall for the shorter bed.
The name "Procrustes" has subsequently been used metaphorically to describe situations or individuals that forcefully impose a rigid standard or try to fit everyone into a uniform mold. It represents the idea of forcing conformity or uniformity at any cost, even if it involves inflicting harm or altering individuals in unnatural ways. The term "Procrustean" is often used to describe such situations or individuals, suggesting a rigid, unforgiving, and intolerant approach that disregards individual differences and diversity.
Overall, the name Procrustes has come to symbolize the oppressive nature of conformity and the need for acceptance of diverse perspectives and individuality.
A robber of anc. Greece, who tortured his victims by placing them on an iron bed, and fitting them to suit its length by stretehing their bodies or mutilating them.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Procrustes" is derived from Greek mythology. Procrustes, also known as Prokroustes, was a legendary Greek bandit of Attica. The name "Procrustes" itself is a combination of two Greek words: "pro" meaning "before" or "in front of", and "krastos" meaning "strike" or "knock-out".
According to the myth, Procrustes had a unique style of robbery. He had an iron bed in his house, which he offered to passersby for rest. However, once someone lay on the bed, he would either stretch them to fit the bed's length or cut off their limbs to make them fit. In this way, he either forcibly enlarged or reduced his victims to conform to the size of the bed.
