I. ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r, -ˌchər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r, -ˈka-ri- 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 ˌker-i-kə-ˈchu̇r-əl, -ˈchər-, -ˈtyu̇r-, -ˈtu̇r-, -ˌka-ri- adjective
• car·i·ca·tur·ist ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r-ist, -ˌchər-, -ˌtyu̇r-, -ˌtu̇r-, -ˈka-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
II. transitive verb
( -tured ; -tur·ing )
Date: circa 1771
: to make or draw a caricature of : represent in caricature
the portrait caricatured its subject