CHARADE, the name of a fanciful species of composition or literary amusement. It owes its name to the idler who invented it. Its subject must be a word of two syllables, each forming a distinct word; and these two syllables are to be concealed in an enigmatical description, first separately, and then together. The exercise of charades, if not greatly instructive, is at least innocent and amusing. Most of those which have appeared from time to time are not only destitute of all pleasantry, but are formed in general of words utterly unfit for the purpose. In trifles of this nature inaccuracy is without excuse. The following examples, therefore, are at least free from this blemish.
union, if judicious, gives much pleasure. My whole is tempting to the touch, grateful to the sight, but fatal to the taste. Night-shade.