burlesque
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bur·lesque
(bər-lĕsk′)n.
1. A literary or dramatic work that makes fun of something, often by means of outlandish exaggeration.
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.
[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.]
bur·lesque′ adj.
bur·lesque′ly adv.
bur·lesqu′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
burlesque
(bɜːˈlɛsk)n
1. (Art Terms) an artistic work, esp literary or dramatic, satirizing a subject by caricaturing it
2. a ludicrous imitation or caricature
3. (Theatre) a play of the 17th–19th centuries that parodied some contemporary dramatic fashion or event
4. (Theatre) theatre Also: burlesk US and Canadian 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 or -lesqued
to represent or imitate (a person or thing) in a ludicrous way; caricature
[C17: from French, from Italian burlesco, from burla a jest, piece of nonsense]
burˈlesquely adv
burˈlesquer n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
bur•lesque
(bərˈlɛsk)n., adj., v. -lesqued, -lesquing. n.
1. a comic literary or dramatic piece that vulgarizes lofty material or elevates the ordinary.
2. any ludicrous parody or grotesque caricature.
3. a stage show featuring comic, usu. bawdy skits and striptease acts.
adj. 4. involving ludicrous or mocking treatment of a solemn subject.
5. of, pertaining to, or like stage-show burlesque.
v.t. 6. to make ridiculous by mocking representation.
v.i. 7. to use burlesque or caricature.
[1650–60; < French < Italian burlesco, derivative of burl(a) jest]
syn: burlesque, caricature, parody, travesty refer to literary or dramatic forms that imitate works or subjects to achieve a humorous or satiric purpose. The characteristic device of burlesque is mockery of serious or trivial subjects through association with their opposites: a burlesque of high and low life. caricature, usu. associated with visual arts or with visual effects in literary works, implies exaggeration of characteristic details: The caricature emphasized his large nose. parody achieves its humor through application of the style or technique of a well-known work or author to unaccustomed subjects: a parody of Hemingway. travesty takes a serious subject and uses a style or language that seems incongruous or absurd: a travesty of a senator making a speech.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
burlesque
- From French, which got it from Italian burlesco, a derivative of burla, "joke, fun"—which may have come from Latin burra, "trifle."See also related terms for trifle.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
burlesque
an exaggerated representation; grotesque parody or satire.
See also: Representation-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
burlesque
Past participle: burlesqued
Gerund: burlesquing
Imperative |
---|
burlesque |
burlesque |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
burlesque
A coarse form of dramatic parody that seeks to entertain through distortion or ridicule, for example in the comic treatment of serious and well-known works.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new 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 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" 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" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
burlesque
noun
adjective
1. satirical, comic, mocking, mock, farcical, travestying, ironical, parodic, mock-heroic, caricatural, hudibrastic a trio of burlesque stereotypes
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
burlesque
nounverb
To copy (the manner or expression of another), especially in an exaggerated or mocking way:
Idiom: do a takeoff on.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
burlesque
[bɜːˈlesk]A. ADJ → burlesco
C. VT → parodiar
D. CPD burlesque show N (US) → revista f de estriptise
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
burlesque
n
adj
(US Theat) → Varieté-; burlesque show → Varietévorstellung f
vt → parodieren; book, author, style → persiflieren
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995