burlesque

bur·lesque  (br-lsk)

n.

1. A literary or dramatic work that ridicules a subject either by presenting a solemn subject in an undignified style or an inconsequential subject in a dignified style. See Synonyms at caricature.

2. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty: The antics of the defense attorneys turned the trial into a burlesque of justice.

3. A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease.

v. bur·lesqued, bur·lesqu·ing, bur·lesques

v.tr.

To imitate mockingly or humorously: "always bringing junk . . . home, as if he were burlesquing his role as provider" (John Updike).

v.intr.

To use the methods or techniques of burlesque.

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[From French, comical, from Italian burlesco, from burla, joke, probably from Spanish, from Vulgar Latin *burrula, diminutive of Late Latin burrae, nonsense, from burra, wool.]

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bur·lesque adj.

bur·lesquely adv.

bur·lesquer n.

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burlesque

Noun

1. an artistic work, esp. literary or dramatic, satirizing a subject by caricaturing it

2. US & Canad theatre a bawdy comedy show of the late 19th and early 20th centuries

Adjective

of or characteristic of a burlesque [Italian burla a jest]

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burlesque

an exaggerated representation; grotesque parody or satire.

See also: Representation

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	burlesque - a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease) show - a social event involving a public performance or entertainment; "they wanted to see some of the shows on Broadway"
	2.	burlesque - a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way parody, pasquinade, put-on, sendup, spoof, charade, lampoon, mockery, travesty, takeoff caricature, impersonation, imitation - a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
Verb	1.	burlesque - make a parody of; "The students spoofed the teachers" spoof, parody mock - imitate with mockery and derision; "The children mocked their handicapped classmate" travesty - make a travesty of
Adj.	1.	burlesque - relating to or characteristic of a burlesque; "burlesque theater"

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burlesque

noun 1. parody, mockery, satire, caricature, send-up Brit. (informal) spoof (informal) travesty, takeoff (informal)

adjective 2. satirical, comic, mocking, mock, farcical, travestying, ironical, parodic, mock-heroic, caricatural, hudibrastic

Translations

burlesque [bəːˈlɛsk] n → parodia

burlesque [bəːˈlɛsk] n → caricature f, parodie f

burlesque [bəːˈlɛsk] n (parody) → Persiflage f;

(US) (Theat) → Burleske f