I. ˈparədē also ˈper- or -di noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin parodia, from Greek parōidia, from para beside + -ōidia (from aeidein to sing) — more at ode
1.
a. : a writing in which the language and style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule often with certain peculiarities greatly heightened or exaggerated
these plays … are parodies of eighteenth century French farce — Claudia Cassidy
b. : a literary style characterized by the reproduction of stylistic peculiarities of an author or work for comic effect or in ridicule
the dialogue … lapses now and then into inadvertent parody — Wolcott Gibbs
— compare burlesque 1
2. : a form or situation showing imitation that is faithful to a degree but that is weak, ridiculous, or distorted : a feeble or ridiculous imitation
a straggling parody of a military moustache — Fred Majdalany
the … elite who live a parody of 19th century French culture — Alastair Reid
3.
a. : an imitation of a musical composition in which the original text or music has been altered usually in a comical manner
b. : parody mass
Synonyms: see caricature
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
1. : to compose a parody on
parody a poem
parody a musical composition
2. : to imitate in a way resembling or held to resemble a parody
deliberately set out to parody the … technique — Marshall Fishwick
sounds that parody rather than imitate the original — Louis Simpson