Definitions of the Day – Oct. 12, 2023

Prevaricator, n.  A liar in the caterpillar state.

Price, n.  Value, plus a reasonable sum for the wear and tear of conscience in demanding it.

• Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

Definitions of the Day – Oct. 11, 2023

Presidency, n. The greased pig in the field game of American politics.

President, n.  The leading figure in a small group of men of whom – and of whom only – it is positively known that immense numbers of their countrymen did not want any of them for President. 

• Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

Definitions of the Day – Oct. 8, 2023

Present, n. That part of eternity dividing the domain of disappointment from the realm of hope.

Presentable, adj.  Hideously appareled after the manner of the time and place.

            In Boorioboola-Gha a man is presentable on occasion of ceremony if he have his abdomen painted a bright blue and wear a cowʼs tail; in New York he may, if it please him, omit the paint, but after sunset he must wear two tails made of the wool of a sheep and dyed black.

• Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s DIctionary

Definitions of the Day – Oct. 7, 2023

Prerogative, n. A sovereignʼs right to do wrong.

Prescription, n.  A physicianʼs guess at what will best prolong the situation with least harm to the patient.

• Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

Definitions of the Day – Oct. 6, 2023

Prejudice, n. A vagrant opinion without visible means of support.

Prelate, n. A church officer having a superior degree of holiness and a fat preferment.  One of Heavenʼs aristocracy.  A gentleman of God.

• Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

Definition of the Day – Oct. 4, 2023

Preference, n.  A sentiment, or frame of mind, induced by the erroneous belief that one thing is better than another. 

            An ancient philosopher, expounding his conviction that life is no better than death, was asked by a disciple why, then, he did not die. “Because,” he replied, “death is no better than life.”

            It is longer.

• Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary