/ ˈtrævəsti; NAmE / noun
( pl. -ies ) travesty (of sth) something that does not have the qualities or values that it should have, and as a result is often shocking or offensive
SYN parody :
The trial was a travesty of justice .
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (as an adjective in the sense dressed to appear ridiculous ): from French travesti disguised, past participle of travestir , from Italian travestire , from trans- across + vestire clothe.