Related:

• MERCY, n. An attribute beloved of detected offenders. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary
• PATRIOT, n. One to whom the interests of a part seem superior to those of the whole.
  The dupe of statesmen and the tool of conquerors. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• NIRVANA, n. In the Buddhist religion, a state of pleasurable annihilation awarded to the wise, particularly to those wise enough to understand it.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• QUEEN, n. A woman by whom the realm is ruled when there is a king, and through whom it is ruled when there is not.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• Fashion, n. A despot whom the wise ridicule and obey. -- Ambrose Bierce "The Devil's Dictionary
• RECOUNT, n. In American politics, another throw of the dice, accorded to the player against whom they are loaded.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• EPAULET, n. An ornamented badge, serving to distinguish a military officer from the enemy -- that is to say, from the officer of lower rank to whom his death would give promotion.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• IMPENITENCE, n. A state of mind intermediate in point of time between sin and punishment.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• ALIEN, n. An American sovereign in his probationary state.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...