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 [bɜːˈlɛsk]

n

1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) an artistic work, esp literary or dramatic, satirizing a subject by caricaturing it

2. a ludicrous imitation or caricature

3. (Performing Arts / Theatre) a play of the 17th-19th centuries that parodied some contemporary dramatic fashion or event

4. (Performing Arts / Theatre) Also burlesk US and Canadian Theatre a bawdy comedy show of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: the striptease eventually became one of its chief elements Slang name burleycue

adj

(Literary & Literary Critical Terms) of, relating to, or characteristic of a burlesque

vb -lesques, -lesquing, -lesqued

to represent or imitate (a person or thing) in a ludicrous way; caricature

[from French, from Italian burlesco, from burla a jest, piece of nonsense]

burlesquer  n

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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

parody, mockery, satire, caricature, send-up (Brit. informal), spoof (informal), travesty, takeoff (informal) The book read like a black comic burlesque.

adjective

satirical, comic, mocking, mock, farcical, travestying, ironical, parodic, mock-heroic, caricatural, hudibrastic a trio of burlesque stereotypes

Translations

burlesque [bɜːˈlesk]

A. ADJ → burlesco

B. N

1. (= parody) → parodia f

2. (US) (Theat) → revista f de estriptise

C. VT → parodiar

D. CPD burlesque show N (US) → revista f de estriptise

burlesque [bɜː^rˈlɛsk] n (= performance, writing) → parodie f

burlesque

n

(= parody) → Parodie f; (Theat) → Burleske f; (Liter) → Persiflage f

(US Theat) → Varieté nt, → Varietee nt; (= show) → Varietévorstellung f

adj

(= parodic) → parodistisch; (Theat) → burlesk; (Liter) → persiflierend

(US Theat) → Varieté-; burlesque show → Varietévorstellung f

vt → parodieren; book, author, style → persiflieren

burlesque [bɜːˈlɛsk] n → parodia

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burlesque [bɜːˈlɛsk] n → parodia