choke pear
English
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Noun
choke pear (plural choke pears)
- A metal torture device to be inserted into the body, consisting of a usually pear-shaped piece divided into spoon-like segments that can be spread apart by turning a screw.
- A kind of pear with a rough, astringent taste, difficult to swallow.
- (archaic) A sarcasm by which one is put to silence; anything that cannot be answered.
- 1748, [Samuel Richardson], Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; […], →OCLC:
- I believe I have given her a choke-pear.
Synonyms
- (torture device): pear, pear of anguish, Pope's pear
Translations
a metal torture device
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Further reading
- Choke pear (torture) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
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