Kabuki

//kəˈbuːki// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A form of Japanese theatre in which elaborately costumed male performers use stylized movements, dances, and songs in order to enact tragedies and comedies. capitalized, often, uncountable

    "Despite its self-consciously assumed irreverence toward traditional practices, “Hokaibo” incorporates all the essential elements of classic Kabuki: the all-male company of actors, exaggerated makeup, the stomping dances, the arresting, cross-eyed poses at moments of high drama that are recognized and applauded."

  2. 2
    Alternative letter-case form of kabuki. alt-of, uncountable
  3. 3
    A stylized, pretentious, and often hollow performance; (especially) political posturing. US, broadly, figuratively, uncountable

    "The whole "weapons of mass destruction" concern was phony from the start, and the drama about inspections was just kabuki: going through the motions."

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 歌舞伎 (kabuki).

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