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burlesque

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

burlesque

Main Entry:: ¹bur·lesque
Pronunciation:: \(ˌ)bər-ˈlesk\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: burlesque, adjective, comic, droll, from French, from Italian burlesco, from burla joke, from Spanish
Date:: 1667

1 : a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation 2 : mockery usually by caricature 3 : theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous often earthy character consisting of short turns, comic skits, and sometimes striptease acts

synonyms see caricature

— burlesque adjective

— bur·lesque·ly adverb

Learn more about "burlesque" and related topics at Britannica.com

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