The doctor explained to Jenkins that he had a serious ailment for which an operation was absolutely imperative.
The patient turned pale and asked, "Isn’t it very dangerous?"
"Yes," the doctor replied. "Five out of six who undergo this operation die, but as for you, you have nothing to worry about."
"Why not?" eagerly inquired the patient.
"Well, you’re sure to recover because my last five patients died," the doctor reassured him.
china n. Fine china made of clay mixed with bone ash.
- of contention n. Source of dispute.
- —n. - any piece of hard tissue making up the skeleton in vertebrates.
- (in pl.) A skeleton, esp. As remains. B body.
- material of bones or similar material, e.g. Ivory.
- thing made of bone.
- (in pl.) Essentials (the bones of an agreement).
- strip of stiffening in a corset etc. —v. (-ning) 1 remove the bones from.
- stiffen with bone etc. bone up (often foll. By on) colloq. Study intensively. Have a bone to pick (usu. Foll. By with) have cause for dispute (with a person). Make no bones about 1 be frank about.
- not hesitate or scruple. boneless adj. [old english]
