English Dictionary

Definition of “travesty

travesty (ˈtrævɪstɪPronunciation for travesty

Definitions

noun

  1. a farcical or grotesque imitation; mockery; parody

verb

  1. (tr) to make or be a travesty of

Word Origin

C17: from French travesti  disguised, from travestir  to disguise, from Italian travestire , from tra- trans- + vestire to clothe

Usage examples

  • `This House regards the admission of women to men's colleges as a travesty.
    Skelton, Alison Scott, An Older Woman (1993)
  • Intergalactic travesty Next week sees the release of Star Wars II: The Attack of the Clones.
    Spiked (2002)
  • Despite the travesty that wedding number 11 turned out to be, Bonny was overjoyed.
    Toronto Sun (2003)
  • Her massive achievement makes much previously written about this heroic period seem like a travesty.
    Independent (1998)
  • Even this longer answer is a travesty of a detailed story of discovery that has been related by W. Glen in The Road to Jaramillo (1982).
    Richard Fortey, THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)

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