ADDER, n. A species of snake. So called from its habit of adding funeral outlays to the other expenses of living.

BEGGAR, n. One who has relied on the assistance of his friends.

PLENIPOTENTIARY, adj. Having full power. A Minister Plenipotentiary is a diplomatist possessing absolute authority on condition that he never exert it.

Birth: The first and direst of all disasters.

Conversation: A fair for the display of the minor mental commodities, each exhibitor being too intent upon the arrangement of his own wares to observe those of his neighbor.

MAGIC, n. An art of converting superstition into coin. There are other arts serving the same high purpose, but the discreet lexicographer does not name them.

Erudition - dust shaken out of a book into an empty skull.