Devil's Dictionary: A's Cont'd

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ACKNOWLEDGE, v.t.

To confess. Acknowledgement of one another's faults is the highest duty imposed by our love of truth.

ACQUAINTANCE, n.

A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. A degree of friendship called slight when its object is poor or obscure, and intimate when he is rich or famous.

ACTUALLY, adv.

Perhaps; possibly.

ADHERENT, n.

A follower who has not yet obtained all that he expects to get.

ADVICE, n.

The smallest current coin.

AIR, n.

A nutritious substance supplied by a bountiful Providence for the fattening of the poor.

ALDERMAN, n.

An ingenious criminal who covers his secret thieving with a pretence of open marauding.