- Main Entry:
- 1car·i·ca·ture
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r, -ˌchər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r, -ˈka-ri-\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- Italian caricatura, literally, act of loading, from caricare to load, from Late Latin carricare
- Date:
- 1712
1
: exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics
2
: a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature
3
: a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature
—
car·i·ca·tur·al \ˌker-i-kə-ˈchu̇r-əl, -ˈchər-, -ˈtyu̇r-, -ˈtu̇r-, -ˌka-ri-\ adjective —
car·i·ca·tur·ist \ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r-ist, -ˌchər-, -ˌtyu̇r-, -ˌtu̇r-, -ˈka-ri-\ noun synonyms caricature,
burlesque,
parody,
travesty mean a comic or grotesque imitation.
caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject
<caricatures of politicians in cartoons>.
burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment
<a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court>.
parody applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work
<a witty parody of a popular novel>.
travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd
<this production is a travesty of the opera>.
