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satire
noun
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The Culinary Roots of Satire
Satire came into English at the beginning of the 16th century, and the meaning of the word has not strayed very far from its original sense. The initial uses were primarily applied to poems, and the term now has a broader applicability. Satire has a semantic and etymological overlap with both farce and lampoon. Farce ("a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot") came into English as a synonym for forcemeat, meaning "finely chopped and highly seasoned meat or fish that is either served alone or used as a stuffing." Lampoon ("a harsh satire usually directed against an individual") is thought to come from the French lampons!, meaning "let us guzzle!" And satire is believed to trace back to the Latin satur, meaning "well-fed."
wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement.
wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.
humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.
irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.
sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.
satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.
repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.
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Cite this Entry
“Satire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satire. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
satire
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on satire
Nglish: Translation of satire for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of satire for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about satire
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