Devil's Dictionary: Finish (though not Finnish) A's

As always, so witty it burns:

ALLIANCE, n.

In international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third.

AMNESTY, n.

The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it would be too expensive to punish.

ANOINT, v.t.

To grease a king or other great functionary already sufficiently slippery.

APHORISM, n.

Predigested wisdom.

APOLOGIZE, v.i.

To lay the foundation for a future offence.

APPEAL, v.t.

In law, to put the dice into the box for another throw.

ARDOR, n.

The quality that distinguishes love without knowledge.

ASPERSE, v.t.

Maliciously to ascribe to another vicious actions which one has not had the temptation and opportunity to commit.