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Definition of parody - 4 dictionary results

par⋅o⋅dy

[par-uh-dee] noun, plural -dies, verb, -died, -dy⋅ing.
–noun
1. a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing: his hilarious parody of Hamlet's soliloquy.
2. the genre of literary composition represented by such imitations.
3. a burlesque imitation of a musical composition.
4. any humorous, satirical, or burlesque imitation, as of a person, event, etc.
5. the use in the 16th century of borrowed material in a musical setting of the Mass (parody Mass).
6. a poor or feeble imitation or semblance; travesty: His acting is a parody of his past greatness.
–verb (used with object)
7. to imitate (a composition, author, etc.) for purposes of ridicule or satire.
8. to imitate poorly or feebly; travesty.

Origin:
1590–1600; < L parōdia a parody < Gk parōidía a burlesque song or poem. See par-, ode, -y 3


par⋅o⋅di⋅a⋅ble, adjective


1, 2. See burlesque.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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par·o·dy   (pār'ə-dē)   
n.   pl. par·o·dies
    1. A literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule. See Synonyms at caricature.

    2. The genre of literature comprising such works.

  1. Something so bad as to be equivalent to intentional mockery; a travesty: The trial was a parody of justice.

  2. Music The practice of reworking an already established composition, especially the incorporation into the Mass of material borrowed from other works, such as motets or madrigals.

tr.v.   par·o·died, par·o·dy·ing, par·o·dies
To make a parody of. See Synonyms at imitate.

[Latin parōdia, from Greek parōidiā : para-, subsidiary to; see para-1 + aoidē, ōidē, song; see wed-2 in Indo-European roots.]
pa·rod'ic (pə-rŏd'ĭk), pa·rod'i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj., par'o·dist n., par'o·dis'tic adj.
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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Cultural Dictionary

parody

In art, music, or literature, a satire that mimics the style of its object.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

parody 
1598 (first used in Eng. by Ben Jonson), from or in imitation of L. parodia "parody," from Gk. paroidia "burlesque song or poem," from para- "beside, parallel to" (in this case, "mock-") + oide "song, ode." The meaning "poor or feeble imitation" is from 1830. The verb is attested from c.1745.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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