I. (ˌ)bər-ˈlesk 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
II. verb
( bur·lesqued ; bur·lesqu·ing )
Date: 1676
transitive verb
: to imitate in a humorous or derisive manner : mock
intransitive verb
: to employ burlesque
• bur·lesqu·er noun