bur|lesque´ly

bur|lesque´ly
bur|lesque «bur LEHSK», noun, verb, -lesqued, -lesqu|ing, adjective.
–n.
1. a) a story, play, or essay, that treats a serious subject ridiculously, or a trivial subject as if it were important: »

Mark Twain's story, “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court,” is a burlesque of the legends about King Arthur.

SYNONYM(S): parody, take-off, mock-heroic. b) Figurative. a ridiculous imitation of something worthy or dignified; mockery: »

By taking bribes the judge made a burlesque of his high office.

2. a kind of vaudeville characterized by coarse, vulgar comedy and dancing.
–v.t., v.i.
to imitate so as to make fun of: »

Firbank…violently burlesqued the esthetic world in which he lived (Newsweek).

 SYNONYM(S): caricature, travesty.
–adj.
1. making people laugh; comically imitative. SYNONYM(S): comical.
2. of or having to do with the kind of vaudeville called burlesque: »

a burlesque show.

╂[< French burlesque < Italian burlesco < burla jest]
–bur|lesque´ly, adverb.
–bur|lesqu´er, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • bur|lesque — «bur LEHSK», noun, verb, lesqued, lesqu|ing, adjective. –n. 1. a) a story, play, or essay, that treats a serious subject ridiculously, or a trivial subject as if it were important: »Mark Twain s story, “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur s Court …   Useful english dictionary

  • bur·lesque — /bɚˈlɛsk/ noun, pl lesques 1 : a play, story, novel, etc., that makes a serious subject seem funny or ridiculous [count] The book is a burlesque of Victorian society. [noncount] a writer whose burlesque often bordered on cruelty …   Useful english dictionary

  • bur|lesqu´er — bur|lesque «bur LEHSK», noun, verb, lesqued, lesqu|ing, adjective. –n. 1. a) a story, play, or essay, that treats a serious subject ridiculously, or a trivial subject as if it were important: »Mark Twain s story, “A Connecticut Yankee in King… …   Useful english dictionary

  • bur — al·bur·num; Bur·ber·ry; bur·bler; bur·bly; bur·bot; bur; bur·chell s; bur·de·kin; bur·den·less; bur·den·man; bur·den s; bur·den·some; bur·den·some·ly; bur·den·some·ness; bur·el; bur·gage; bur·gall; bur·ga·mot; bur·gao; bur·gee; bur·gess;… …   English syllables

  • lesque — mi·chel·an·ge·lesque; bur·lesque; bur·lesque·ly; …   English syllables

  • burlesque — bur·lesque …   English syllables

  • burlesquely — bur·lesque·ly …   English syllables

  • burlesque — bur|lesque1 [ bɜr lesk ] noun count or uncount 1. ) a type of performance or entertainment that involves jokes, songs, and usually STRIPPERS 2. ) a performance or piece of writing that makes something funny by repeating or performing it in a… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • burlesque — bur|lesque [bə:ˈlesk US bə:r ] n [U and C] [Date: 1600 1700; : French; Origin: Italian burlesco, from burla joke ] 1.) speech, acting, or writing in which a serious subject is made to seem silly or an unimportant subject is treated in a serious… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • burlesque — bur•lesque [[t]bərˈlɛsk[/t]] n. adj. v. lesqued, lesquing 1) lit. a comic literary or dramatic piece that vulgarizes lofty material or elevates the ordinary 2) any ludicrous parody or grotesque caricature 3) sbz a stage show featuring comic, usu …   From formal English to slang

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