burlesque

Noun · Verb · Adjective
Synonyms: parodylampoonspoofsendupmockerytakeofftravestycharadepasquinadeput-on

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)
  2. a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous waySynonyms: parodylampoonspoofsendupmockerytakeofftravestycharadepasquinadeput-on

Verb (1)

  1. make a parody of“The students spoofed the teachers”Synonyms: spoofparody

Adjective (1)

  1. relating to or characteristic of a burlesque“burlesque theater”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, a. [F. burlesque, fr. It. burlesco, fr. burla jest, mockery, perh. for burrula, dim. of L. burrae trifles. See Bur.] Tending to excite laughter or contempt by extravagant images, or by a contrast between the subject and the manner of treating it, as when a trifling subject is treated with mock gravity; jocular; ironical. [1913 Webster]

It is a dispute among the critics, whether burlesque poetry runs best in heroic verse, like that of the Dispensary, or in doggerel, like that of Hudibras. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Burlesqued; p. pr. & vb. n. Burlesquing.] To ridicule, or to make ludicrous by grotesque representation in action or in language. [1913 Webster]

They burlesqued the prophet Jeremiah's words, and turned the expression he used into ridicule. --Stillingfleet. [1913 Webster]

Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, n.

1.Ludicrous representation; exaggerated parody; grotesque satire. [1913 Webster]

Burlesque is therefore of two kinds; the first represents mean persons in the accouterments of heroes, the other describes great persons acting and speaking like the basest among the people.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

2.An ironical or satirical composition intended to excite laughter, or to ridicule anything. [1913 Webster]

The dull burlesque appeared with impudence, And pleased by novelty in spite of sense.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

3.A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross perversion. [1913 Webster]

Who is it that admires, and from the heart is attached to, national representative assemblies, but must turn with horror and disgust from such a profane burlesque and abominable perversion of that sacred institute?— Burke.[1913 Webster]

Syn: Mockery; farce; travesty; mimicry. [1913 Webster]

Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, v. i. To employ burlesque. [1913 Webster]
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