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n. 1. A literary or dramatic work that makes fun of something, often by means of outlandish exaggeration. 2. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty: The antics of the defense attorneys turned the trial into a burlesque of justice. 3. A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease. v. bur·lesqued, bur·lesqu·ing, bur·lesques v.tr. To imitate mockingly or humorously: "always bringing junk ... home, as if he were burlesquing his role as provider" (John Updike). v.intr. To use the methods or techniques of burlesque. [From French, comical, from Italian burlesco, from burla, joke, probably from Spanish, from Vulgar Latin *burrula, diminutive of Late Latin burrae, nonsense, from burra, wool.] bur·lesque adj. bur·lesquely adv. bur·lesquer n. |
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