The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce's "The Devil's Dictionary" is a satirical work featuring humorous and sardonic definitions for common words. The dictionary was later hailed as a masterpiece of American satire. Preceded by similar endeavors, like Samuel Johnson's and Noah Webster's, Bierce took years to compile his lexicon. The book's history involves multiple titles, with the final version, "The Devil's Dictionary," published in 1911. Despite mixed early reviews, it gained lasting acclaim and was named among the "100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature" in 1973.