kabuki

[ kah-boo-kee, kuh-, kah-boo-kee ]

noun
  1. popular drama of Japan, developed chiefly in the 17th century, characterized by elaborate costuming, rhythmic dialogue, stylized acting, music, and dancing, and the performance of both male and female roles by male actors.: Compare .

  2. (initial capital letter)Also called Grand Kabuki. public performances of this type of drama.

Origin of kabuki

1
1895–1900; <Japanese: originally, as v., to act dissolutely; usually written with phonograms that carry the meanings “song-dance-skill”

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British Dictionary definitions for kabuki

kabuki

/ (kæˈbuːkɪ) /


noun
  1. a form of Japanese drama based on popular legends and characterized by elaborate costumes, stylized acting, and the use of male actors for all roles: See also No 1

Origin of kabuki

1
Japanese, from ka singing + bu dancing + ki art

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012