bur·lesque

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

2 [noncount] : a kind of entertainment that was popular in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and that included funny performances, singing, dancing, etc., and sometimes performances in which women took off their clothes

Several important 20th-century performers got their start in burlesque.

burlesque dancers

a burlesque show


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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… …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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|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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