Daily English Crumbs (Advanced): The Devil's Dictionary

The following text chunks were written by Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914?). They have been found in various open sources across the internet.

Definitions quoted from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce:

Acquaintance, n.: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to.

Brain, n.: an apparatus with which we think we think.

Barometer, n.: An ingenious instrument which indicates what kind of weather we are having.

Cabbage, n.: A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man's head.

Bore, n.: A person who talks when you wish him to listen.

Politeness, n.: The most acceptable hypocrisy.

Other quotations by Ambroce Bierce:

"There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don't know."

"Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum (I think that I think, therefore I think that I am.)"

"Calamities are of two kinds: misfortunes to ourselves, and good fortune to others."

Tasks and quastions for you:

Do you like Bierce's ideas?
What does the "n." at the definition titles stand for?

Find more about Ambrose Bierce:

What was his nickname and why?
Why is there a question mark at the date of his death?
What can you find out about The Devil's Dictionary?