Home North American English red-tapery

Definition of red-tapery in US English:

red-tapery

noun

depreciative

  • Rigid adherence to official rules and formalities; red tape.

Origin

Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Fraser's Magazine for Town and Country. From red tape + -ery.

Pronunciation

red-tapery

/ˌrɛdˈteɪp(ə)ri/