Select entries from Ambrose Bierce’s lexicon of cynicism, bitterness, and humor, produced over a 30-year period beginning in 1881.
APOLOGIZE, v.i. To lay the foundation for a future offence.
BARD, n. A person who makes rhymes. The word is one of the numerous aliases under which the poet seeks to veil his identity and escape opprobrium.
BETRAY, v.t. To make payment for confidence.
COMPETITOR, n. A scoundrel who desires that which we desire.
COMPLIMENT, n. A loan that bears interest.
CONNOISSEUR, n. A specialist who knows everything about something and nothing about anything else.
An old wine-bibber having been smashed in a railway collision,
