Word Direct Answers

What does "burlesque" mean?

Burlesque: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 4.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.
  4. 5.To employ burlesque.

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