Related:

• PLEBISCITE, n. A popular vote to ascertain the will of the sovereign.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• RITE, n. A religious or semi-religious ceremony fixed by law, precept or custom, with the essential oil of sincerity carefully squeezed out of it.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• REFERENDUM, n. A law for submission of proposed legislation to a popular vote to learn the nonsensus of public opinion.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• Riot, n. A popular entertainment given to the military by innocent bystanders.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• ACCORD, n. Harmony. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary
• IMPUNITY, n. Wealth. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary
• TRUCE, n. Friendship. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary
• EVANGELIST, n. A bearer of good tidings, particularly (in a religious sense) such as assure us of our own salvation and the damnation of our neighbors.
  -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...
• WITTICISM, n. A sharp and clever remark, usually quoted, and seldom noted
  what the Philistine is pleased to call a "joke." -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary...