n.
Pronunciation: ' ker-i-k ə - ˌ chu ̇ r, - ˌ ch ə r, - ˌ tyu ̇ r, - ˌ tu ̇ r, - ' ka-ri-
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian caricatura, literally, act of loading, from caricare to load, from Late Latin carricare
Date: 1712
1 : exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics
2 : a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature
3 : a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature
– car · i · ca · tur · al \ ˌ ker-i-k ə - ' chu ̇ r- ə l, - ' ch ə r-, - ' tyu ̇ r-, - ' tu ̇ r-, - ˌ ka-ri- \ adjective
– car · i · ca · tur · ist \ ' ker-i-k ə - ˌ chu ̇ r-ist, - ˌ ch ə r-, - ˌ tyu ̇ r-, - ˌ tu ̇ r-, - ' ka-ri- \ noun
synonyms CARICATURE , BURLESQUE , PARODY , TRAVESTY mean a comic or grotesque imitation. CARICATURE implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject < caricatures of politicians in cartoons>. BURLESQUE implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment <a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court>. PARODY applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work <a witty parody of a popular novel>. TRAVESTY implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd <this production is a travesty of the opera>.