Red-tape

red′-tāp, n. the red tape used in public, and esp. government, offices for tying up documents, .: applied satirically to the intricate system of routine in vogue there: official formality.— adj. pertaining to official formality.— ns. Red′-tā′pism , the system of routine in government and other public offices; Red′-tā′pist , a great stickler for routine.