burlesque
pronunciation
How to pronounce burlesque in British English:
UK [bɜ:ˈlesk]
How to pronounce burlesque in American English:
US [bɜrˈlesk]
-
- Noun:
- a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)
- a composition that imitates somebody's style in a humorous way
-
- Verb:
- make a parody of
-
- Adjective:
- relating to or characteristic of a burlesque
Word Origin
- burlesque
- burlesque: [17] French is the immediate source of English burlesque, but French got it from Italian burlesco, a derivative of burla ‘joke, fun’. This may come from Vulgar Latin *burrula, a derivative of late Latin burra ‘trifle’, perhaps the same word as late Latin burra ‘wool, shaggy cloth’.
- burlesque (n.)
- 1660s, "derisive imitation, grotesque parody," from French burlesque (16c.), from Italian burlesco, from burla "joke, fun, mockery," possibly ultimately from Late Latin burra "trifle, nonsense," literally "flock of wool." Modern sense of "variety show featuring striptease" is American English, 1870. Originally (1857) "the sketches at the end of minstrel shows." As a verb, from 1670s.
Example
- 1. He 's the headliner of a gay burlesque show .
- 2. The novel is a burlesque of a dickens work .
- 3. Her latest play features satire and burlesque .
- 4. The leading comedian in a burlesque show .
- 5. We could have joined any burlesque show in the country .