the learned Dr. Lightfoot...in a sermon preached in St. Margaret’s, Westminster, before the House of Commons in 1643, spoke of the “wretched Apocrypha” as “a patchery of human invention,” divorcing the end of the law from the beginning of the Gospel.
It sounds prettily; and is, in parts, very carefully and mystically wrapped up in the gaudy envelope of poetical patchery.
That which is thrown or sown together usually clumsily or with different color and textures, like patchwork.
The Chinese mourn in white, and some of us in Harlequin-like patchery, as though believing motley to be the only wear.
In the corner next to the oven was a huge heap of black rags covering the couch. Among the patchery was a large piece of tapestry
noun
(UK, India, military, historical) Living quarters for married soldiers.