BURLESK', a. [The termination esque answers to Eng.] Jocular; tending to excite laughter by ludicrous images, or by a contrast between the subject and the manner of treating it, as when a trifling subject is treated with gravity.
BURLESQUE,\par BURLESK', n. Ludicrous representation; a contrast between the subject and the manner of treating it, which tends to excite laughter or ridicule.
1. A composition in which a trifling subject or low incident is treated with great gravity, as a subject of great dignity or importance; or a composition in which the contrast between the subject and the manner of considering it renders it ludicrous or ridiculous; as in Virgil Travestie, the Lutrin of Boileau, Butler's Hudibras and Trumbull's McFingal.
BURLESQUE,\par BURLESK', v.t. To turn into ridicule; or to make ludicrous by representation; as by treating a low or trifling subject with great gravity.
