choke pear

noun3

1. •
   A kind of pear with a rough, astringent taste, difficult to swallow.
2. •
   A metal torture device to be inserted into the body, consisting of a usually pear-shaped piece divided into spoon-like segments that can be spread apart by turning a screw.
3. •
   (no longer used) A sarcasm by which one is put to silence; anything that cannot be answered.

   • I believe I have given her a choke-pear. — 1748