'Burlesque' definitions:

Definition of 'burlesque'

(from WordNet)
adjective
Relating to or characteristic of a burlesque; "burlesque theater"
noun
A theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)
noun
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]
verb
Make a parody of; "The students spoofed the teachers" [syn: spoof, burlesque, parody]

Definition of 'Burlesque'

From: 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]

Definition of 'Burlesque'

From: 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]

Definition of 'Burlesque'

From: 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]

Definition of 'Burlesque'

From: GCIDE
  • Burlesque \Bur*lesque"\, v. i. To employ burlesque. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'burlesque'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Burlesque'