/ bɜːˈlesk; NAmE bɜːrˈl-/ noun
1.
[ C ] a performance or piece of writing which tries to make sth look ridiculous by representing it in a humorous way
SYN parody :
a burlesque of literary life
2.
[ U ] ( NAmE ) a type of entertainment, popular in the past in the US, involving humorous acts, singing, dancing, etc. and often including striptease
► bur·lesque adjective [ usually before noun ]
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from French , from Italian burlesco , from burla mockery, of unknown origin.