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Ambrose Bierce
OUT-OF-DOORS, n. That...
OUT-OF-DOORS, n. That part of one's environment upon which no government has been able to collect taxes. Chiefly...
PIETY, n. Reverence...
PIETY, n. Reverence for the Supreme Being, based upon His supposed resemblance to man.
PERORATION, n. The...
PERORATION, n. The explosion of an oratorical rocket. It dazzles, but to an observer having the wrong kind of nose its...
PHYSICIAN, n. One...
PHYSICIAN, n. One upon whom we set our hopes when ill and our dogs when well.
PHILANTHROPIST, n. A...
PHILANTHROPIST, n. A rich (and usually bald) old gentleman who has trained himself to grin while his conscience is...
OVEREAT, v. To...
OVEREAT, v. To dine.
Source: The Devil's Dictionary, 1911.
-- Ambrose Bierce,...
PITY, n. A...
PITY, n. A failing sense of exemption, inspired by contrast.
Source: The Devil's...
PHOENIX, n. The...
PHOENIX, n. The classical prototype of the modern small hot bird.
Source: The...
PHYSIOGNOMY, n. The...
PHYSIOGNOMY, n. The art of determining the character of another by the resemblances and differences between his face...
PIANO, n. A...
PIANO, n. A parlor utensil for subduing the impenitent visitor. It is operated by pressing the keys of the machine and...
PALACE, n. A...
PALACE, n. A fine and costly residence, particularly that of a great official. The residence of a high dignitary of...
PLATONIC, adj. Pertaining...
PLATONIC, adj. Pertaining to the philosophy of Socrates. Platonic Love is a fool's name for the affection between a...
PHONOGRAPH, n. An...
PHONOGRAPH, n. An irritating toy that restores life to dead noises.
Source: The...
PLEBEIAN, n. An...
PLEBEIAN, n. An ancient Roman who in the blood of his country stained nothing but his hands. Distinguished from the...
PILLORY, n. A...
PILLORY, n. A mechanical device for inflicting personal distinction -- prototype of the modern newspaper conducted by...
PASSPORT, n. A...
PASSPORT, n. A document treacherously inflicted upon a citizen going abroad, exposing him as an alien and pointing him...
PLEASURE, n. The...
PLEASURE, n. The least hateful form of dejection.
Source: The Devil's Dictionary,...
PHOTOGRAPH, n. A...
PHOTOGRAPH, n. A picture painted by the sun without instruction in art. It is a little better than the work of an...
PLEONASM, n. An...
PLEONASM, n. An army of words escorting a corporal of thought.
Source: The Devil's...
PITIFUL, adj. The...
PITIFUL, adj. The state of an enemy of opponent after an imaginary encounter with oneself.