Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A clerk in a public office.
- noun One who adheres strictly to forms and routine in official or other business.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun One who is tenacious of a strict adherence to official formalities.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun archaic One who strictly adheres to
official formalities .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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But, a red-tapist by nature, and hating innovations, owing to weakness of mind, he trembled inwardly and cried in agony:
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Spartacus caused ropes to be made of vine branches, with the aid of which he and his followers lowered themselves to the base of the mountain, at a point which had been left unguarded by the Romans because considered inaccessible by the red-tapist who commanded them, and consequently affording a capital outlet for bold men under a daring leader.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 03, January, 1858 Various
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But, a red-tapist by nature, and hating innovations, owing to weakness of mind, he trembled inwardly and cried in agony:
Serge Panine — Complete Georges Ohnet 1883
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I fear I clearly see that for years to come domestic reforms are shaken to the root; every miserable red-tapist flourishes war over the head of every protester against his humbug; and everything connected with it is pushed to such an unreasonable extent, that, however kind and necessary it may be in itself, it becomes ridiculous.
The Letters of Charles Dickens Vol. 1 (of 3), 1833-1856 Charles Dickens 1841
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Aristocracy, military, naval, or red-tapist; wherever there are born kings of men, you had better seek them out, and breed them to this work.
Latter-Day Pamphlets Thomas Carlyle 1838
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"Not a doubt of that," chimed in the fellow ex-minister, a worthy man, perfect red-tapist, but inaudible in the reporters 'gallery.
My Novel — Volume 12 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838
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"Not a doubt of that," chimed in the fellow ex-minister, a worthy man, perfect red-tapist, but inaudible in the reporters 'gallery.
My Novel — Complete Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838
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Simple as the question seems, it may be doubted, considering the remarkable increase of late years in the number of John Bull's colonial progeny, whether the most experienced red-tapist of Downing Street could answer it without some hesitation.
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 447 Volume 18, New Series, July 24, 1852 Various 1836
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"And the Lansmere interest need not be beaten, if you'll put up another man instead of this red-tapist.
My Novel — Volume 12 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838
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You seem a smart young fellow; but you must throw over that stiff red-tapist of yours, and go with Public Opinion, and -- Myself. "
My Novel — Volume 10 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838
qms commented on the word red-tapist
The office of humor correction
Has experts at offense detection.
Each earnest red-tapist
Maintains a bad-jape list
Of jokes that will cause an objection.
See also comments at red-tapism.
October 27, 2016