n. & v.
n. 1 a humorous drawing in a newspaper, magazine, etc., esp. as a topical comment. 2 a sequence of drawings, often with speech indicated, telling a story (strip cartoon). 3 a filmed sequence of drawings using the technique of animation. 4 a full-size drawing on stout paper as an artist's preliminary design for a painting, tapestry, mosaic, etc.
v. 1 tr. draw a cartoon of. 2 intr. draw cartoons. cartoonist n.
[ It. cartone f. carta CARD(1) ]