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picaresque

 - 3 dictionary results

pic⋅a⋅resque

  [pik-uh-resk]
–adjective
1. pertaining to, characteristic of, or characterized by a form of prose fiction, originally developed in Spain, in which the adventures of an engagingly roguish hero are described in a series of usually humorous or satiric episodes that often depict, in realistic detail, the everyday life of the common people: picaresque novel; picaresque hero.
2. of, pertaining to, or resembling rogues.
Use picaresque in a Sentence
Origin:
1800–10; < Sp picaresco. See picaro, -esque

Synonyms:
2. prankish, rascally, devilish, raffish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To picaresque
pic·a·resque   (pĭk'ə-rěsk', pē'kə-)   
adj.  

  1. Of or involving clever rogues or adventurers.

  2. Of or relating to a genre of usually satiric prose fiction originating in Spain and depicting in realistic, often humorous detail the adventures of a roguish hero of low social degree living by his or her wits in a corrupt society.

n.  One that is picaresque.

[French, from Spanish picaresco, from pícaro, picaro; see picaro.]
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

picaresque 
1810, from Sp. picaresco "roguish," from picaro "rogue," possibly from picar "to pierce," from V.L. *piccare (see pike (2)). Originally in roman picaresque "rogue novel," the classic example being "Gil Blas."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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