"Fork: An instrument used chiefly for the purpose of putting dead animals into the mouth"

This quote by Ambrose Bierce is an amusing way of describing the use of a fork. A fork is a utensil that is utilized to eat food, however Bierce is recommending that it is primarily utilized to put dead animals into the mouth. This is a funny way of saying that a fork is utilized to consume food, as dead animals are not typically consumed. Bierce is likely making a joke about the use of a fork, as it is not usually utilized to put dead animals into the mouth. He is also most likely satirizing the concept that a fork is a required tool for consuming food, as it is not the only method to do so. This quote is an amusing way of explaining making use of a fork and is a pointer that it is not the only way to eat food.