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FARCE

 - 3 dictionary results

farce

  [fahrs] noun, verb, farced, farc⋅ing.
Use FARCE in a Sentence
–noun
1. a light, humorous play in which the plot depends upon a skillfully exploited situation rather than upon the development of character.
2. humor of the type displayed in such works.
3. foolish show; mockery; a ridiculous sham.
4. Cookery. forcemeat.
–verb (used with object)
5. to season (a speech or composition), esp. with witty material.
6. Obsolete. to stuff; cram.
Origin:
1300–50; (n.) ME fars stuffing < MF farce < VL *farsa, n. use of fem. of L farsus, earlier fartus stuffed, ptp. of farcīre to stuff; (v.) ME farsen < OF farcir < L farcīre

Synonyms:
3. burlesque, travesty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To FARCE
farce   (färs)   
n.  

    1. A light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters, and often slapstick elements are used for humorous effect.

    2. The branch of literature constituting such works.

    3. The broad or spirited humor characteristic of such works.

  2. A ludicrous, empty show; a mockery: The fixed election was a farce.

  3. A seasoned stuffing, as for roasted turkey.

tr.v.   farced, farc·ing, farc·es

  1. To pad (a speech, for example) with jokes or witticisms.

  2. To stuff, as for roasting.


[Middle English farse, stuffing, from Old French farce, stuffing, interpolation, interlude, from Vulgar Latin *farsa, from feminine of farsus, variant of fartus, past participle of farcīre, to stuff.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

farce 
1530, from M.Fr. farce "comic interlude in a mystery play," lit. "stuffing," from O.Fr. farcir "to stuff," from L. farcire, perhaps related to frequens "crowded." The pseudo-L. farsia was applied 13c. in France and England to praise phrases inserted into liturgical formulae (e.g. between kyrie and eleison), then in O.Fr. farce was extended to the impromptu buffoonery among actors that was a feature of religious stage plays.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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