From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Burlesque \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.
[1913 Webster]
They burlesqued the prophet Jeremiah's words, and
turned the expression he used into ridicule.
--Stillingfleet.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, n.
1. Ludicrous representation; exaggerated parody; grotesque
satire.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. An ironical or satirical composition intended to excite
laughter, or to ridicule anything.
[1913 Webster]
The dull burlesque appeared with impudence,
And pleased by novelty in spite of sense. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
3. A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross
perversion.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Mockery; farce; travesty; mimicry.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, v. i.
To employ burlesque.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
burlesque
adj 1: 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 or misrepresents somebody's
style, usually in a humorous way [syn: {parody}, {lampoon},
{spoof}, {sendup}, {mockery}, {takeoff}, {burlesque},
{travesty}, {charade}, {pasquinade}, {put-on}]
v 1: make a parody of; "The students spoofed the teachers" [syn:
{spoof}, {burlesque}, {parody}]
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