Word of the Day

Pyrrhic victory (pĭr'ĭk)

1. A victory that is offset by staggering losses
2. A victory or goal achieved at too great a cost

This expression alludes to Kind Pyrrhus of Epirus, who defeated the Romans at Asculum in a.d. 279, but lost his best officers and many of his troops. Pyrrhus then said: "Another such victory and we are lost."