choke pear
noun1
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.
2
A kind of pear with a rough, astringent taste, difficult to swallow.
3
Archaic A sarcasm by which one is put to silence; anything that cannot be answered.
- I believe I have given her a choke-pear.1748, [Samuel Richardson], Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC:
- Synonyms
- pear, pear of anguish, Pope's pear