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 ]

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 ]

They burlesqued the prophet Jeremiah's words, and turned the expression he used into ridicule. Stillingfleet. [ 1913 Webster ]