They burlesqued the prophet Jeremiah's words, and
turned the expression he used into ridicule.
--Stillingfleet.
It is a dispute among the critics, whether burlesque
poetry runs best in heroic verse, like that of the
Dispensary, or in doggerel, like that of Hudibras.
--Addison.
Burlesque is therefore of two kinds; the first
represents mean persons in the accouterments of
heroes, the other describes great persons acting and
speaking like the basest among the people.
--Addison.
2. An ironical or satirical composition intended to excite
laughter, or to ridicule anything.
The dull burlesque appeared with impudence, And
pleased by novelty in spite of sense. --Dryden.
3. A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross
perversion.
Who is it that admires, and from the heart is
attached to, national representative assemblies, but
must turn with horror and disgust from such a
profane burlesque and abominable perversion of that
sacred institute? --Burke.
Syn: Mockery; farce; travesty; mimicry.