parody

¹par·o·dy

noun \ˈper-ə-dē, ˈpa-rə-\

plural par·o·dies

Definition of PARODY

1

: a literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule

2

: a feeble or ridiculous imitation

— pa·rod·ic \pə-ˈrä-dik, pa-\ adjective

— par·o·dis·tic \ˌper-ə-ˈdis-tik, ˈpa-rə-\ adjective

Examples of PARODY

1. He has a talent for writing parodies.
2. a writer with a talent for parody

Origin of PARODY

Latin parodia, from Greek parōidia, from para- + aidein to sing — more at ode

First Known Use: 1598

Related to PARODY

Synonyms

burlesque, caricature, put-on, rib, send-up, spoof, takeoff, travesty

Related Words

lampoon, mockery, satire; comedy, farce, humor, sketch, slapstick, squib; distortion, exaggeration; imitation, impersonation, mimicking

Near Antonyms

homage, tribute

See Synonym Discussion at caricature

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

²parody

transitive verb

parodiedparody·ing

Definition of PARODY

1

: to compose a parody on <parody a poem>

2

: to imitate in the manner of a parody

Examples of PARODY

1. It was easy to parody the book's fancy language.
2. She parodied her brother's poetry.

First Known Use of PARODY

circa 1745

Related to PARODY

Synonyms

burlesque, caricature, do, imitate, mock, mimic, send up, spoof, travesty

Related Words

lampoon, pasquinade, satirize; deride, gibe (or jibe), ridicule; ape, copycat, monkey, parrot; duplicate, emulate, replicate, reproduce; act, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, feign, pretend, sham, simulate; elaborate, embellish, embroider, exaggerate, magnify, pad, play up, stretch; amplify, enhance, enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), overdraw, overstate, put on; mime, pantomime; impersonate, perform, personate, play

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

parody

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In literature, a work in which the style of an author is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule. Differing from both burlesque (by the depth of its technical penetration) and travesty (which treats dignified subjects in a trivial manner), parody mercilessly exposes the tricks of manner and thought of its victim and therefore cannot be written without a thorough appreciation of the work it ridicules. Examples date from as early as ancient Greece and occur in nearly all literatures and all periods.