beadledom

[ beed-l-duhm ]

noun

1. a stupid or officious display or exercise of authority associated with petty officials, and historically epitomized in England’s parish beadles, who kept order in the church and the poorhouse.

beadledom

/ ˈbiːdəldəm /

noun

1. petty officialdom

Word History and Origins

Origin of beadledom¹

First recorded in 1855–60; beadle + -dom

Example Sentences

And then Beadledom seemed crazed, and, joined with the many ale-bibbers, were turned out to do good service in the show.

From Project Gutenberg

Possibly it was the familiarity with divine things which synagogue beadledom involves that had bred his contempt for them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administration
• authority
• civil service
• management
• ministry
• red tape