I. ˈkarə̇kəˌchu̇(ə)r, -u̇ə, -rēk- also ˈker- or -ˌt(y)u̇- or -kəchə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: earlier caricatura, from Italian, affectation, caricature, literally, a loading, from caricare to load, from Late Latin carricare — more at charge
1.
a. : an exaggeration by means of deliberate simplification and often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics
the art of caricature
b. : an instance of such caricature
in her rambling and her idleness she might only be a caricature of herself, but in her silence and sadness she was the very reverse of all that she had been before — Jane Austen
2. : a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature
a series of satirical caricatures of the faculty of a progressive college for women — Orville Prescott
3. : a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature
the kangaroo court a caricature of justice
Synonyms:
burlesque , parody , travesty all indicate kinds of grotesque and exaggerated imitation. caricature suggests ludicrous distortion of a peculiar feature
caricature is a very special kind of portraiture, permitting extravagance and enunciating the awkward and uncomplimentary — Christian Science Monitor
his caricature of the “gentleman” … is a biting sarcasm of the respectable, gentle, and polite bourgeois — Commonweal
burlesque is likely to imply humor sought or attained in imitation of the dignified, heavy, or grand
ridiculing follies with a burlesque as riotous as that in The Innocents Abroad — Carl Van Doren
he whipped off his old slouch hat with an air of gallantry which reminded Dorinda of the burlesque of some royal cavalier — Ellen Glasgow
parody , like caricature , involves the heightening of a peculiar feature and, like burlesque , is likely to aim at humor. It may differ from the first in attempting less obvious and pictorial and more sustained and subtle imitation, from the second in aiming at a quieter, less boisterous effect
Dryden's method here is something very near to parody; he applies vocabulary, images, and ceremony which arouse epic associations of grandeur — T.S.Eliot
played in the manner of a parody, an intention which … cannot possibly be recognized by any hearer who has not previously been warned of it — Eric Blom
travesty is perhaps the strongest word in the group. It may apply to any palpably extravagant imitation designed to mock and consistently sustained, especially in stylistic matters
in producing Androcles and the Lion his motion picture executor has already managed to make a public travesty of his work — New Republic
All these terms may be used in reference to a situation that contains grotesque distortion
a caricature of the truth
a burlesque on religious observations
a parody of justice
a travesty on decent marriage
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make or draw a caricature of : represent in caricature
he could draw an ill face or caricature a good one — George Lyttelton