C1 verb Littéraire

malpetdom

/mælˈpɛt.dəm/

To exercise authority over a minor task or small department in an intentionally obstructive, pedantic, or inefficient manner. It describes the act of turning a small responsibility into a personal fiefdom to assert power over others through petty rules.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

She tended to malpetdom the office supply cabinet, making it impossible for anyone to get a pen without a signed form.

She tended to control the office supplies with petty authority, making it impossible for anyone to get a pen without a signed form.

2

The committee warned the sub-chair not to malpetdom the administrative procedures for the upcoming gala.

The committee warned the sub-chair not to over-complicate and dominate the administrative procedures for the upcoming gala.

3

He's just malpetdoming the group chat because he likes feeling like he's in charge of something.

He is asserting unnecessary control over the group chat because he likes feeling like he is in charge.

Famille de mots

Nom
malpetdomance
Verb
malpetdom
Adverbe
malpetdomically
Adjectif
malpetdomic
Apparenté
malpetdomer
💡

Astuce mémo

Break it down: 'Mal' (bad) + 'Pet' (petty/small) + 'Dom' (dominate). It means 'badly dominating small things.'

Quiz rapide

The junior clerk began to ____ the archives, refusing access to anyone without his personal permission and a triplicate form.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : malpetdom

Exemples

1

She tended to malpetdom the office supply cabinet, making it impossible for anyone to get a pen without a signed form.

everyday

She tended to control the office supplies with petty authority, making it impossible for anyone to get a pen without a signed form.

2

The committee warned the sub-chair not to malpetdom the administrative procedures for the upcoming gala.

formal

The committee warned the sub-chair not to over-complicate and dominate the administrative procedures for the upcoming gala.

3

He's just malpetdoming the group chat because he likes feeling like he's in charge of something.

informal

He is asserting unnecessary control over the group chat because he likes feeling like he is in charge.

4

Sociological studies suggest that individuals who malpetdom small domains often do so as a response to a lack of power in larger societal structures.

academic

Research suggests that people who over-regulate small areas often do so because they lack power in larger society.

5

The project stalled because the middle manager decided to malpetdom the minor contract clauses instead of focusing on the deadline.

business

The project was delayed because the manager chose to obsessively over-manage minor contract details rather than focus on the deadline.

Famille de mots

Nom
malpetdomance
Verb
malpetdom
Adverbe
malpetdomically
Adjectif
malpetdomic
Apparenté
malpetdomer

Collocations courantes

habitually malpetdom to regularly exercise petty authority
malpetdom the process to over-complicate a specific procedure
tendency to malpetdom a habit of exercising small-scale tyranny
malpetdom a department to run a small department like a personal fiefdom
malpetdom with bureaucracy to use excessive rules to assert minor control

Phrases Courantes

to malpetdom the minute

to obsess over and control tiny, unimportant details

a classic case of malpetdoming

a perfect example of abusing minor authority

stop malpetdoming

an instruction to quit being pedantic and obstructive

Souvent confondu avec

malpetdom vs martyrdom

Martyrdom is the death or suffering of a martyr; malpetdom is the petty abuse of minor authority.

malpetdom vs petty

Petty is an adjective describing smallness or insignificance; malpetdom is a verb for the action of exploiting that insignificance for power.

📝

Notes d'usage

This word is specifically used to criticize someone who uses minor rules to hinder others or to make themselves feel important. It is common in administrative or corporate contexts to describe 'gatekeeping' behavior.

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners may try to use this as a noun because of the '-dom' suffix; remember that in this specific test context, it functions primarily as a verb.

💡

Astuce mémo

Break it down: 'Mal' (bad) + 'Pet' (petty/small) + 'Dom' (dominate). It means 'badly dominating small things.'

📖

Origine du mot

A modern construction likely derived from the Latin 'malus' (bad) combined with the roots for 'petty' and the Germanic suffix '-dom' used here to imply the creation of a domain.

Modèles grammaticaux

Regular transitive verb (malpetdoms, malpetdomed, malpetdoming) Requires a direct object (the thing or area being managed) Often used in the gerund form as a subject or object
🌍

Contexte culturel

Reflects the modern frustration with 'middle-management' and the bureaucratic hurdles often found in large organizations.

Quiz rapide

The junior clerk began to ____ the archives, refusing access to anyone without his personal permission and a triplicate form.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : malpetdom

Mots lis

exarchness

C1

The state or quality of being an exarch, specifically referring to the authoritative status or regional jurisdiction of a deputy ruler or high-ranking ecclesiastical official. It describes the inherent power and dignity associated with governing a province or diocese on behalf of a higher sovereign.

perihumer

C1

A technical term referring to the anatomical region or specific tissue structures immediately surrounding the humerus bone in the upper arm. It is primarily used in orthopedic medicine and physical therapy to describe areas of concern during surgery, injury assessment, or prosthetic fitting.

microfluship

C1

A precise, automated release of a minimal amount of fluid or data used to clear a micro-system or reset high-sensitivity sensors. It is typically employed in microfluidic engineering and advanced computing to prevent sediment buildup or signal noise.

antiponness

C1

The quality or state of being opposed to or averse to hard labor, toil, or physical exertion. It describes a deep-seated resistance to performing arduous tasks, often found in philosophical or psychological discussions about the nature of work.

forenumerary

C1

Describes something that pertains to an initial or preliminary counting or listing that occurs before the main enumeration. It is typically used in administrative, historical, or technical contexts to refer to items or individuals recorded ahead of a final official tally.

detangite

C1

To separate components, strands, or ideas that have become intricately intertwined or knotted. It is most frequently used in formal or technical contexts to describe the process of unravelling a complex situation, data set, or physical structure.

unitangine

C1

Describing a process or system that operates through a single point of contact or a singular, unbranching focus. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to denote a direct and isolated interaction between two entities.

enjectment

C1

Ejectment is a legal action or remedy brought by a person who claims title to real property to recover possession of that property. It is primarily used to remove a tenant or squatter who is wrongfully occupying the land and to settle disputes regarding the rightful owner's title.

invertite

C1

Describing something that has been reversed in position, order, or nature, or turned upside down. It is a highly specialized or archaic term used primarily in technical, historical, or biological contexts to denote a state of inversion.

malteghood

C1

Describing a state marked by deep-seated communal loyalty and historical resilience. It refers to qualities or behaviors that prioritize the preservation of a group's collective identity and shared fortitude above individual interests.

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