An ancient religious symbol erroneously supposed to owe its significance to the most solemn event in the history of Christianity, but really antedating it by thousands of years.
— from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce

ANT: Abandon, relax, soothe, ease, relieve.
— from A Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms or, Synonyms and Words of Opposite Meaning by Samuel Fallows

You are a rogue, Semyon Erastovitch!”
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of 233 Short Stories of Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

[1314] Von Spix and Martius, in speaking of the aborigines of Brazil, assert that they cannot properly be said to blush; "it was only after long intercourse with the whites, and after receiving some education, that we perceived in the Indians a change of colour expressive of the emotions of their minds."
— from The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin

In another day or two perhaps; this extreme mildness can hardly last longer—nay, perhaps it may freeze tonight!" "At any rate," said Elinor, wishing to prevent Mrs. Jennings from seeing her sister's thoughts as clearly as she did, "I dare say we shall have Sir John and Lady Middleton in town by the end of next week.
— from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

[ According to some, the son.—G.] Whilst in Rome and Africa, revolutions succeeded each other with such amazing rapidity, that the mind of Maximin was agitated by the most furious passions.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes) by Edward Gibbon

Whilst in Rome and Africa, revolutions succeeded each other with such amazing rapidity, that the mind of Maximin was agitated by the most furious passions.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes) by Edward Gibbon

[6] A classic example of Apician confusion when one interpreter reads “s” for “f” and “ novem ” for “ move ” and another reads something else.
— from Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome by Apicius

"Well, I am not given to lies myself, as a rule," she explained, apologetically, "but in a case like this it seems to me that the end justifies the means.
— from The Ordeal of Elizabeth by Anonymous

And here at once there opened up another path in the maze: I had heard some considerable talk of rebels; of another faction of Atlanteans who, whatever their faults might be, were at any rate strong enough to beleaguer the capital; and before coming to any final decision, it would be as well to take their claims in balance with the rest.
— from The Lost Continent by Charles John Cutcliffe Wright Hyne

The Honourable Dot—to give it its full title—looked desirous of forgetting the incident, then licked her hand as a reply seemed expected.
— from The Rainbow Book: Tales of Fun & Fancy by M. H. (Mabel Henrietta) Spielmann

I can conceive no difference comparable to that between a smooth and a rough sea, except that which is between a mind calmed by the love of God, and one torn up by the storms of earthly passion.
— from The Moravians in Georgia, 1735-1740 by Adelaide L. (Adelaide Lisetta) Fries

But they were a hopeless couple, they were so friendly Charitable mercifulness; better than sentimental ointment Dedicated to the putrid of the upper circle Dreaded as a scourge, hailed as a refreshment (Scandalsheet) Elderly martyr for the advancement of his juniors Favour can't help coming by rotation Flashes bits of speech that catch men in their unguarded corner For 'tis Ireland gives England her soldiers, her generals too Get back what we give Goodish sort of fellow; good horseman, good shot, good character Grossly unlike in likeness (portraits)
— from Quotations from the Project Gutenberg Editions of the Collected Works of George Meredith by George Meredith