1. The act or process of cleaning or whitening something with pipeclay, a fine white clay used historically for polishing military uniforms and equipment.
Usage: chiefly British; historical; military context
2. Excessive attention to minor details of appearance or procedure; fussy or pedantic behavior.
Usage: figurative; dated

1. To clean or whiten with pipeclay.
Usage: chiefly British; historical
2. To engage in excessive attention to minor details; to behave in a fussy or pedantic manner.
Usage: figurative; dated

Examples

• The soldiers spent hours pipeclaying their uniforms before the inspection.
• The sergeant was known for pipeclaying every detail of the barracks.
• His constant pipeclaying over grammar rules made him unpopular with colleagues.
• The recruits learned to pipeclay their equipment to a high shine.
• She criticized the manager's pipeclaying approach to office procedures.
• Military tradition involved pipeclaying belts and boots until they gleamed.
• The committee's pipeclaying of minor regulations frustrated the staff.