Burlesque

//bə(ɹ)ˈlɛsk// adj, noun, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Parodical; parodic dated

    "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."

Adjective
  1. 1
    relating to or characteristic of a burlesque wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A derisive art form that mocks by imitation; a parody. countable, uncountable

    "Burlesque is therefore of two kinds; the first represents mean persons in the accoutrements of heroes, the other describes great persons acting and speaking like the basest among the people."

  2. 2
    a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way wordnet
  3. 3
    A variety adult entertainment show, usually including titillation such as striptease, most common from the 1880s to the 1930s. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease) wordnet
  5. 5
    A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross perversion. countable, uncountable

    "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?"

Verb
  1. 1
    To make a burlesque parody of.

    "When the venerable New York Times took my quote in which I described the neon elements as "burlesquing the myth of male dominance" and instead printed "he prefers to describe them as . . . symbols of male dominance" it became clear that dealing with journalists was going to be one long, rocky road."

  2. 2
    make a parody of wordnet
  3. 3
    To ridicule, or to make ludicrous by grotesque representation in action or in language.

    "They burlesqued the prophet Jeremiah's words, and turned the expression he used into ridicule."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Borrowed from French burlesque, from Italian burlesco (“parodic”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French burlesque, from Italian burlesco (“parodic”).

Etymology 3

Borrowed from French burlesque, from Italian burlesco (“parodic”).

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