Dr. Dave's definitions

hegemony

primary dominance, leadership, or influence over others, especially as exercised by one nation.

The military supremacy of the United Nations hegemony can scarcely be challenged.

by Dr. Dave January 8, 2004

petard

a device contrived to hurt another person; boobytrap; an explosive contraption used in warfare to blow in a door or form a breach in a wall.

to "hoist by one's own petard" means you have been hurt or caught by the very device that you intended to hurt someone else. This phrase is often used mockingly, as if to say that you stepped in your own mess.

by Dr. Dave January 7, 2004