Ambrose Bierce
1
7.2
- proper noun
- /ˈæm.broʊz bɪərs/
- The Devil's Dictionary, written by Ambrose Bierce, offers a cynical twist on common words.
Examples
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Many critics admire Ambrose Bierce for his sharp satirical style and dark tales.
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Ambrose Bierce's disappearance in 1914 remains one of American literature's great mysteries.
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Many consider Ambrose Bierce a master of American literature.
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Did you read any stories by Ambrose Bierce?
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Ambrose Bierce is best known for his work 'The Devil's Dictionary,' which presents a satirical look at language.
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Readers often find Ambrose Bierce's stories unsettling due to their blend of horror and dark humor.
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In the realm of American literature, Ambrose Bierce stands out for his unique style and sharp wit.
Synonyms
2
9.9
An American writer from the late 1800s and early 1900s known for sharp, dark humour and short stories
Surface Forms
Morphology
Ambrose + Bierce
This is a proper name referring to a specific individual; the meaning 'an American writer and journalist known for caustic wit' cannot be compositionally derived from the constituent words 'Ambrose' and 'Bierce'. Proper names are non-compositional reference items, so a B1 learner who only knows the parts would not be able to infer the biographical meaning without prior exposure.
Etymology
Ambrose Bierce was an American writer known for a very sharp, often cruel sense of humor and dark short stories. He wrote 'The Devil's Dictionary', full of clever, twisted definitions, and then mysteriously disappeared in Mexico in 1914, so his name now brings to mind biting wit and a strange, mysterious life.