bur·lesque /(ˌ)bɝˈlɛsk/
作戲,滑稽戲(a.)滑稽的,可笑的
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 a. 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 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.
◄ ►
burlesque
adj : relating to or characteristic of a burlesque; "burlesque
theater"
n 1: a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor;
consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes
striptease)
2: a composition that imitates somebody's style in a humorous
way [syn: parody, lampoon, spoof, sendup, mockery,
takeoff, travesty, charade, pasquinade, put-on]
v : make a parody of; "The students spoofed the teachers" [syn:
spoof, parody]