Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. 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.
\Bur*lesque"\, n. 1. Ludicrous representation; exaggerated parody; grotesque satire. 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. 2. An ironical or satirical composition intended to excite laughter, or to ridicule anything. The dull burlesque appeared with impudence, And pleased by novelty in spite of sense. --Dryden. 3. A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross perversion. 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. Syn: Mockery; farce; travesty; mimicry.
\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. They burlesqued the prophet Jeremiah's words, and turned the expression he used into ridicule. --Stillingfleet.
\Bur*lesque"\, v. i. To employ burlesque.