
THE DEVIL’S DICTIONARY - by Ambrose Bierce
CONTENTS
AUTHOR'S PREFACE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A mischievous compendium of bite‑size definitions, this work turns ordinary language on its head, presenting familiar words with a razor‑sharp twist. Each entry reads like a brief satire, exposing the absurdities of politics, religion, and human vanity while keeping a deadpan, scholarly tone. The author’s footnotes and quoted verses add a faux‑academic veneer, making the humor feel both erudite and delightfully subversive. Listeners will find themselves smiling at the way “abdication” becomes a royal sauna and “ability” is reduced to solemnity.
The collection invites you to linger over each definition as if it were a miniature essay, offering a steady stream of clever turns of phrase that echo through everyday conversation. Its delight lies in the way the lexicon mirrors society’s contradictions, rewarding attentive ears with fresh ways to see the world. Whether you’re a lover of wordplay or simply enjoy sharp wit, the experience feels like a private joke shared with a clever, slightly cynical friend.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (359K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Aloysius and David Widger
Release date
Jul 1, 1997
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1842–1913
Best known for The Devil’s Dictionary and unforgettable tales of war and terror, this sharp-tongued American writer turned bitterness, irony, and dark humor into an art form. His life ended in one of literature’s great mysteries after he vanished in Mexico in late 1913.
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