Meaning of packrattery | Babel Free

Definitions

The behavior of a packrat; a tendency to collect miscellanea or bric-a-brac, often to excess.

derogatory, informal, uncountable

Examples

“But packrattery soon precluded any Williamsburgish consistency.”

“Many stories were tape-recorded at family reunions through the years (we also are record keepers, given a little leeway for chaos and packrattery).”

“Remember the first principle of packrattery: Stuff will accumulate proportionate to the space and place made available for it.”

“Most of our books are not on the floor, at least, but on one shelf I see “The Soul of a New Machine” next to “All the King’s Men” topped by “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Why? I have no idea. It’s packrattery, but I can usually lay my hands on the volumes I need.”

CEFR level