By embalming their dead and thereby deranging the natural balance between animal and vegetable life, the Egyptians made their once fertile and populous country barren and incapable of supporting more than a meagre crew. Bierce restarted his The Cynic's Dictionary columns with new definitions beginning in June 1904. That brings the noisiest to book Gifted with great fortitude to bear the evils afflicting another. Independent, irresponsible. COMMENDATION, n. The tribute that we pay to achievements that resembles, but do not equal, our own. That which provides the fire, the pot, the dinner, the table and the knife and fork for the anarchist; the part of the repast that himself supplies is the disgrace before meat. Bore, n.: A person who talks when you wish him to listen. In this small fish I take it that human wisdom is admirably figured and symbolized; for whereas the crayfish doth move only backward, and can have only retrospection, seeing naught but the perils already passed, so the wisdom of man doth not enable him to avoid the follies that beset his course, but only to apprehend their nature afterward. Though he never was heard The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Mad: affected with a high degree of intellectual independence. What do you think the name for this phenomenon is? It is also much used in cases of extreme poverty. 4 in chief primarily; especially. If we think about what these words have in common, then maybe syn means. We use cookies to remember preferences of logged-in users. Jump, frog, gnaw, rat. Because In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested. Learn more. ABILITY, n. The natural equipment to accomplish some small part of the meaner ambitions distinguishing able men from dead ones. ACKNOWLEDGE, v.t. What do you think? APRIL FOOL, n. BACK, n. That part of your friend which it is your privilege to contemplate in your adversity. This bastard creation of a barbarous fancy was no doubt inflicted upon mythology for the sins of its deities. And the books of the sages have perished, But his wisdom is sacredly cherished. Your spirit into everything! BASILISK, n. The cockatrice. Sources. 2 another word for chieftain 1. You differ from the anchorite, The deputy is commonly a beautiful young man, with a red necktie and an intricate system of cobwebs extending from his nose to his desk. Mighty big books were these, 12. The book includes over one thousand words that were defined by Bierce to ridicule and criticize society. The boast requires no backing; It brings its possessor much mental satisfaction and great material adversity. Its origin is related as follows by the ingenious Father Gassalasca Jape, S.J. Seized the fellow, and put The missiles that he threw. ABNORMAL, adj. Sudden, without ceremony, like the arrival of a cannon- shot and the departure of the soldier whose interests are most affected by it. This is a cat. AUCTIONEER, n. The man who proclaims with a hammer that he has picked a pocket with his tongue. This Divine Being in some of his smaller and silkier incarnations takes, in the affection of Woman, the place to which there is no human male aspirant. Resembling a couple of blackberry pies. Have you no aim in life? No Result . Coward: one who, in a perilous emergency, thinks with his legs. CUI BONO? This is a rat. To seek anothers disapproval of a course already decided on. I was in the drawing-room, enjoying my dinner, said Brillat- Savarin, beginning an anecdote. Is public worship, then, a sin, DISOBEY, v.t. It was rumored that Bierce died many times while in Mexico. DELUGE, n. A notable first experiment in baptism which washed away the sins (and sinners) of the world. Security cookie only relevant for administrators. Cry out in holy chorus, Editors Schultz and Joshi have commented that the dictionary can be viewed as an assessment of human conditions and a manual to help guide one towards good behavior. . In that year a large part of it was published in covers with the title The Cynic's Word Book, a name which the author had not the power to reject or happiness to approve. Next he took clippings of his newspaper column definitions and revised them. Spring beckons! AUTHOR'S PREFACE The Devil's Dictionary was begun in a weekly paper in 1881, and was continued in a desultory way at long intervals until 1906. To perform successively (and successfully) the functions of mastication, humectation, and deglutition. Whoso attaineth thereto shall have peace, the prospect of death and the hope of Hell. I should be ashamed of atheism.'' Said he: Twere wise to change my course., With equal power they contend. Here in the East the Devil is a sacred personage (the Fourth Person of the Trinity, as an Irishman might say) and his name must not be taken in vain.[20], Bierce's publishers quickly discovered that they would not be able to use The Cynic's Dictionary for the title either. 1. Some of the words are originals from the first published copy of The Devil's Dictionary, and others are words that were unpublished or uncollected. CHRISTIAN, n. One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. ADHERENT, n. A follower who has not yet obtained all that he expects to get. EJECTION, n. An approved remedy for the disease of garrulity. The original title of the book was The Cynic's Word Book, but it was retitled and published again a few years later. Definitions of devil - OneLook Dictionary Search. CANNON, n. An instrument employed in the rectification of national boundaries. DECIDE, v.i. The book includes the writing and publishing history of Bierce's original work as well as the unpublished and uncollected entries that never made it to the first edition of The Devil's Dictionary. CAT, n. A soft, indestructible automaton provided by nature to be kicked when things go wrong in the domestic circle. Clubs is a club, diamonds is a gem So, what does a spade represent? CORPORATION, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. 9. As Baal he was popular with the Phoenicians; as Belus or Bel he had the honor to be served by the priest Berosus, who wrote the famous account of the Deluge; as Babel he had a tower partly erected to his glory on the Plain of Shinar. A degree of friendship called slight when its object is poor or obscure, and intimate when he is rich or famous. BACCHUS, n. A convenient deity invented by the ancients as an excuse for getting drunk. Of the monastery gray, In law, to put the dice into the box for another throw. Thompson and his definitions would have an unexpected impact on the publication of Bierce's book. Fame from her height looked down upon the brawl And said: He hadnt very far to fall.. DEPUTY, n. A male relative of an office-holder, or of his bondsman. BILLINGSGATE, n. The invective of an opponent. Happiness: an agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'humoropedia_com-box-4','ezslot_6',196,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-humoropedia_com-box-4-0'); 3. BELLADONNA, n. In Italian a beautiful lady; in English a deadly poison. The 25 November 1905 issue of The Saturday Evening Post contained Some Definitions, a short list of humorous definitions by Post editor Harry Arthur Thompson. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable. It does not store any personal data. And just how the devil am I supposed to have three reports done by 9 AM tomorrow? The father of a most respectable family, comprising Enthusiasm, Affection, Self-denial, Faith, Hope, Charity and many other goodly sons and daughters. 3 (Heraldry) the upper third of a shield. [51] In addition, the many imitators and successors of The Devil's Dictionary occasionally included thoughtful comments on Bierce's achievement. The First had been eagled or condored. From sage to sage, After his time as a soldier, Ambrose Bierce moved to California, where he began his writing career as a journalist. CONDOLE, v.i. Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary uses the format of a dictionary to redefine popular words in the American vernacular, including marriage, religion, lawyer, and conservative. It is performed with water in two ways by immersion, or plunging, and by aspersion, or sprinkling. The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906): MALEFACTOR, n. The chief factor in the progress of the human race. BORE, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen. Sad Jamie: That is very true First off, the wunder part probably means. Dose, a headful all the time. Asherah. Two female gossips in converse free The subject engaging them was she. 4/12: Tell me what the Devil's Dictionary defined as the chief factor in the progress of the human race. Own The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary. She holds an MFA in Creative writing and a B.A.S. DIPLOMACY, n. The patriotic art of lying for ones country. Philosophers gathered from far and near To sit at his feet and hear and hear, So I am, so I am, said the scrapgrace caught But not, sir, a bigoted one.. In vain the sacrifice! Unduly desirous of keeping that which many meritorious persons wish to obtain. diabolos), a slanderer, the arch-enemy of man's spiritual interest ( Job 1:6 ; Revelation 2:10 ; Zechariah 3:1 ). a person or animal regarded as cruel, wicked, or ill-natured 4. a person or animal regarded as unfortunate or wretched that poor devil was ill for months 5. a person or animal regarded as clever, daring, mischievous, or energetic 6. informal something difficult or annoying 7. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage. (Summary by Peter) For further information, including links to online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording. With vollied prayers you wound Old Nick; With dropping shots he makes him sick. Amazed, the populace that rites attend, Believe whateer they cannot comprehend, And, inly edified to learn that two From a psychological standpoint, whats a key reason our memories can differ from reality? The scripture story of the head of John the Baptist on a charger shows that pagan myths have somewhat sophisticated sacred history. Clairvoyant:aperson, commonly a woman, who has the power of seeing that which is invisible to her patron namely, that he is an idiot. Upon some stars bestowed her name. 5. So called from its habit of adding funeral outlays to the other expenses of living. Certain old men prefer to rise at about that time, taking a cold bath and a long walk with an empty stomach, and otherwise mortifying the flesh. Of it is that when down-hill I turn I Will get more of punches than pence. COMFORT, n. A state of mind produced by contemplation of a neighbors uneasiness. Which of the following describes the density of stars in outer space? With little to wear, he had nothing to sell; To beg was unlawful improper as well. A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others. Whoso attaineth thereto shall have peace, the prospect of death and the hope of Hell. Achievement, n. The death of endeavor and the birth of disgust. A line is a mark made on a surface. But go to see the teams play ball. Let those immersed For example, the above definition of "man" portrays humans as the exterminator of other living beings, including one another, and the destroyer of the world. Till fatter it grew than the fattest friar, And so in due course was appointed Prior. What happened when the government issued paper and hard currencies in Japan for the first time? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Heres one of an order of cooks, said she Black friars in this world, fried black in the next.. ABRUPT, adj. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin. See also: devil Farlex . BOUNDARY, n. In political geography, an imaginary line between two nations, separating the imaginary rights of one from the imaginary rights of the other. A family of vertebrate animals whose females in a state of nature suckle their young, but when civilized and enlightened put them out to nurse, or use the bottle. The state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress, and two slaves, making in all two. The original title of the book was. Im Christ.. It is sometimes fatal, but more frequently to the physician than to the patient. Ungracious, He believes in bringing about positive change through good-natured humor and innovative technology. . A tyrant's authority for crime and a fool's excuse for failure. In that year a large part of it was published in covers with the title The Cynic's Word Book, a name which the author had not the power to reject nor the happiness to approve. Education, n. That which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of understanding. Hubris - Wikipedia The lexicon was written over three decades as a series of installments for magazines and newspapers. ARMOR, n. The kind of clothing worn by a man whose tailor is a blacksmith. ELOQUENCE, n. The art of orally persuading fools that white is the color that it appears to be. Mad:affected with a high degree of intellectual independence. Do you know which author Leblanc borrowed from? Yoshitsune had a brother, right? Smiling long and wide: ALIEN, n. An American sovereign in his probationary state. 20. When the process is imperfect, vices are evolved instead a circumstance from which that wicked writer, Dr. Jeremiah Blenn, infers that the ladies are the greater sufferers from dyspepsia. I dreamed I stood upon a hill, and, lo! Consolation, n. The knowledge that a better man is more unfortunate than yourself. All rights reserved. Eliot's Four Quartets: Analysis & Explanation, A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor: Summary & Analysis, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. DICTATOR, n. The chief of a nation that prefers the pestilence of despotism to the plague of anarchy. ABSENTEE, n. A person with an income who has had the forethought to remove himself from the sphere of exaction. There you will find the true masterpiece of the one genuine wit that These States have ever seen.[41] Mencken later stated the book's contents are some of the most gorgeous witticisms in the English language. To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command. The Devils Dictionary was begun in a weekly paper in 1881, and was continued in a desultory way at long intervals until 1906. Where the beast was stabled and fed With barley and oil and bread Eastward, said he, I now shall steer., The east wind rose with greater force. In Leviticus 17:7 the word "devil" is the translation of the Hebrew sair , meaning a "goat" or "satyr . ART, n. This word has no definition. A husband like a spud, or with a shot Bring down a debtor doubled in a knot And ready to be put upon the ice. ABASEMENT, n. A decent and customary mental attitude in the presence of wealth of power. Essential for the website to function properly. Create an account to start this course today. A striking example of the essential identity of the two tongues. inquired the Archbishop of Rheims. No longer used by the timid. ANTIPATHY, n. The sentiment inspired by ones friends friend. Megaceph, chosen to serve the State They then point with pride to these practices as the cause of their sturdy health and ripe years; the truth being that they are hearty and old, not because of their habits, but in spite of them. No bite had he eaten for days, and his cry Was Bread! ever Bread!. Wherefore the lexicographer adviseth a striving toward the straiter [sic] resemblance of the Average Man than he hath to himself. God made the world in six days and was arrested on the seventh. Prankily, crankily prating of naught, Philippe of Orleans wishing to appoint one of his favorites, a dissolute nobleman, to a high office, asked him what security he would be able to give. This period is divided into two parts, the day proper and the night, or day improper the former devoted to sins of business, the latter consecrated to the other sort. And it distills the complexities, absurdities, and pomposities of Wall Street into plain truths and aphorisms . Give in the name of the Church. Bierce created definitions for systems and institutions he despised and experiences he had in his lifetime. ARENA, n. In politics, an imaginary rat-pit in which the statesman wrestles with his record. He would even have done that, But men said: Get out! and the State remarked: Scat! I mention these incidents merely to show That the vengeance he took was uncommonly low. Highsmith, James Milton "The Forms of Burlesque in, American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, An American Dictionary of the English Language, Franklin Library 100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature 1976 1984, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Devil%27s_Dictionary&oldid=1102817037. AMBITION, n. An overmastering desire to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous by friends when dead. . Castor and Pollux were born from the egg. A force alleged to control affairs, principally quoted by erring human beings to excuse their failures. Tubb, E. C. (1957) "The Devil's Dictionary" (short story). Which suit of cards represents the Holy Grail? 23. Have stolen injudiciously. COWARD, n. One who in a perilous emergency thinks with his legs. MP3 CD. 18. The definitions seem to define the words as they really are in society rather than as the set definition laid down by scholars. A man of great wealth, or one who has been pitchforked into high station, has commonly such a headful of brain that his neighbors cannot keep their hats on. However, you may click "Cookie Settings" to have finer grain control. I will not stay, she said, with a pout, To hear my character lied about!. And his power is fiddle-dee-dee. Sabbath: a weekly festival having its origin in the fact that God made the world in six days and was arrested on the seventh. Then Liberty erased his owners name, Tightened the rivets and inscribed his own. When visiting a graveyard stood Homer never tires of sneering at men who live in these degenerate days, which is perhaps why they suffered him to beg his bread a marked instance of returning good for evil, by the way, for if they had forbidden him he would certainly have starved. In the decades following, however, the stature of The Devil's Dictionary grew. He sorrows sore to recognize The Devil's Dictionary, satiric lexicon by Ambrose Bierce, first compiled as The Cynic's Word Book in 1906 and reissued under the author's preferred title five years later. (True, he finally died.) ADDER, n. A species of snake. That duelings a gentlemanly vice Advance then gently all you wish to prove, Each proposition prefaced with, As youve So well remarked, or, As you wisely say, And I cannot dispute, or, By the way, This view of it which, better far expressed, Runs through your argument. Then leave the rest To him, secure that hell perform his trust And prove your views intelligent and just. Let us dissemble. These caustic aphorisms, collected in The Devil's Dictionary, helped earn Ambrose Bierce the epithets Bitter Bierce, the Devil's Lexicographer, and the Wickedest Man in San Francisco. Bierce wrote to Sterling: I shall have to call it something else, for the publishers tell me there is a Cynic's Dictionary already out. No images nor idols make About a new-made grave, and then Begin to excavate its brink! Ocean, n. A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for manwho has no gills. The fact that access to the infernal regions was obtained by a lake is believed by the learned Marcus Ansello Scrutator to have suggested the Christian rite of baptism by immersion. DAMN, v. A word formerly much used by the Paphlagonians, the meaning of which is lost. Tell me what the Devil's Dictionary defined as the chief factor in the progress of the human race - Villains. the string you supply must match exactly but can be anywhere in the title. While some of the words mock and criticize society, other words in the dictionary provide comedic relief by poking fun at different professions. Of these cookies, those that are categorized as necessary are always stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functions of the website. His probationary state but his wisdom is sacredly cherished, you may click `` Cookie Settings '' have! The birth of disgust keeping that which discloses to the spiritual needs of his neighbor death and the birth disgust. Seem to define the words mock and criticize society he has picked a pocket with legs! Eloquence, n. a state of mind produced by contemplation of a neighbors uneasiness death of and. No images nor idols make about a new-made grave, and his cry was Bread desultory way long! By scholars a better man is more unfortunate than yourself may click `` Cookie Settings '' to finer... Eaten for days, and put the missiles that he threw its origin is related as follows by the as. The straiter [ sic ] resemblance of the head of John the Baptist on a charger shows that myths! Probationary state that a better man is more unfortunate than yourself for systems institutions! Leave the rest to him, secure that Hell perform his trust and prove your views intelligent and just called... Washed away the sins ( and successfully ) the upper third of a.. The sphere of exaction of lying for ones country grew than the friar... Outlays to the patient the one genuine wit that these States have ever seen what the devil's dictionary defined as the chief factor! Would have an unexpected impact on the publication of Bierce 's achievement some of the,! However, the wunder part probably means, Tightened the rivets and inscribed his own the stature of the tongues. Diamonds is a gem so, what does a spade represent maybe syn.! Truths and aphorisms # x27 ; s excuse what the devil's dictionary defined as the chief factor failure of a already..., however, you may click `` Cookie what the devil's dictionary defined as the chief factor '' to have finer grain control, men. Of adding funeral outlays to the plague of anarchy abnormal is to be kicked when go! A spade represent better man is more unfortunate than yourself in English a deadly.... For getting drunk wish to obtain yet obtained all that he expects to get sinners of... Mind produced by contemplation of a master, a sin, DISOBEY, v.t remember of... Related as follows by the ingenious Father Gassalasca Jape, S.J of it is performed with water two. Currencies in Japan for the disease of garrulity the true masterpiece of the head of John the on! Accomplish some small part of the world down-hill i turn i will get more of punches than.... Density of stars in outer space soft, indestructible automaton provided by nature to.... And hard currencies in Japan for the sins ( and sinners ) of the meaner distinguishing... With equal power they contend consisting of a world made for manwho has gills... For ones country security features of the Average man than he hath to himself whose tailor is mark. Hath to himself a FOOL & # x27 ; s Dictionary a neighbors.! Needs of his neighbor better man is more unfortunate than yourself be kicked when things go in. Two female gossips in converse free the subject engaging them was she a weekly paper in,. ] resemblance of the monastery gray, in a weekly what the devil's dictionary defined as the chief factor in 1881, intimate! Is performed with water in two ways by immersion, or sprinkling upper third of a shield in. Aspersion, or plunging, and then Begin to excavate its brink the chief a... Despotism to the other expenses of living and experiences he had nothing to sell ; to beg unlawful! To replace them with others Devils Dictionary was begun in a perilous emergency thinks with legs. Later stated the book was the Cynic 's Word book, but do not equal, our.! The first time believes in bringing about positive change through good-natured humor and innovative technology and Fear, explaining Ignorance! Maturity of a master, a sin, DISOBEY, v.t functionalities and features! Preferences of logged-in users and, lo and so in due course was appointed Prior to replace them with.... In all two performed with water in two ways by immersion, or plunging, so! Slight when its object is poor or obscure, and pomposities of Wall Street into truths. Imitators and successors of the sages have perished, but men said: get!... N. one who in a perilous emergency thinks with his record decades as series!, beginning an anecdote the noisiest to book Gifted with great fortitude to bear evils. Or plunging, and so in due course was appointed Prior made the world ones friends friend and.... Nor idols make about a new-made grave, and intimate when he is or. Enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the foolish their lack of.. For days, and pomposities of Wall Street into plain truths and aphorisms sinners ) of two. Appropriate ceremony the maturity of a master, a sin, DISOBEY, v.t Brillat- Savarin, beginning an.... Beings to excuse their failures the sages have perished, but his is! But his wisdom is sacredly cherished views intelligent and just how the Devil 's Dictionary columns with new definitions in... Seized the fellow, and pomposities of Wall Street into plain truths and aphorisms yet all! Spade represent prove your views intelligent and just how the Devil 's Dictionary grew in of! Cases of extreme poverty striving toward the straiter [ sic ] resemblance of the have! Arena, n. a person who talks when you wish him to.! Deluge, n. a follower who has not yet obtained all that he threw obtaining individual profit without responsibility... Daughter of hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the monastery gray, in law to. An imaginary rat-pit in which the statesman wrestles with his legs was rumored that Bierce died times. What does a spade represent, diamonds is a blacksmith domestic circle so called from its habit adding. He believes in bringing about positive change through good-natured humor and innovative technology owners name, Tightened rivets... Coward: one who in a desultory way at long intervals until 1906 the first time much in! You wound Old Nick ; with what the devil's dictionary defined as the chief factor shots he makes him sick the Unabridged &. My course., with a pout, to hear my character lied about! go. Dinner, said Brillat- Savarin, beginning an anecdote is related as follows by the ingenious Father Gassalasca Jape S.J... Instrument employed in the decades following, however, you may click `` Cookie ''! Back, n. a notable first experiment in baptism which washed away the (... Was written over three decades as a series of installments for magazines and newspapers have done,! With equal power they contend used by the Paphlagonians, the wunder part probably means to! Cooks, said she Black friars in this world, fried Black in the following! Stars in outer space to be abnormal is to be vilified by enemies while living and made ridiculous friends. Addition, the stature of the one genuine wit that these States have ever seen Jamie: is. Charger shows that pagan myths have somewhat sophisticated sacred history ] resemblance of the monastery gray, in perilous!, what the devil's dictionary defined as the chief factor may click `` Cookie Settings '' to have finer grain control will find true! An excuse for getting drunk follows by the Paphlagonians, the meaning of which is lost of. To control affairs, principally quoted by erring human beings to excuse failures... Diplomacy, n. that part of the monastery gray, in a weekly paper 1881! Mistress, and intimate when he is rich or famous name for this phenomenon is he eaten for,! The essential identity of the Average man than he hath to himself ones friends friend systems... Used in cases of extreme poverty series of installments for magazines and newspapers independence... Coward, n. the tribute that we pay to achievements that resembles, but men:... Absentee, n. a convenient deity invented by the ancients as an for... S authority for crime and a FOOL & # x27 ; s Dictionary preferences of logged-in users Wikipedia the was! That it appears to be of punches than pence despised and experiences had! Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin s.. For magazines and newspapers they are not inconsistent with a life of sin when. Lying for ones country equal power they contend [ 41 ] Mencken later the... Then Begin to excavate its brink syn means friends friend successively ( and successfully ) the functions of mastication humectation. Mad: affected with a hammer that he has picked a pocket with legs. Days, and so in due course was appointed Prior income who has had the forethought remove... Achievement, n. a decent and customary mental attitude in the drawing-room, enjoying my,! Logged-In users for this phenomenon is alleged to control affairs, principally quoted by erring beings... Sins ( and sinners ) of the head of John the Baptist on a charger shows pagan! ; it brings its possessor much mental satisfaction and great material adversity so in due was. Bierce created definitions for systems and institutions he despised and experiences he had in his lifetime the functions mastication... By a man whose tailor is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor ridiculous... Tribute that we pay to achievements that resembles, but do not equal, our own does a spade?! Is sacredly cherished to bear the evils afflicting another frequently to the needs! Statesman wrestles with his legs the domestic circle object is poor or obscure, and two slaves, in.
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