Found Poetry in Webster’s Dictionary

The indispensable Language Hat points to this gem: Webster’s Daily. The blog’s tagline is “Found poetry from the first edition of Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). A new definition every day.” Here’s the entry for pain:

An uneasy sensation in animal bodies, of any degree from slight uneasiness to extreme distress or torture, proceeding from pressure, tension or spasm, separation of parts by violence, or any derangement of functions.

The definition is compact, yet colorful. I especially enjoy the final phrase, “derangement of functions.” I’m not sure what exactly that might entail, but it sounds unpleasant. You could even say that it sounds painful.

On this day…

• 2005: Ankle Tattoo Blues: Finished (I Think) — There’s more that can be done (isn’t there always!), but I think I’m finished. I may go back and play [...]