Caricature

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/

Definitions

1. An exaggerated portrayal or drawing that emphasizes distinctive features in a humorous or satirical way
2. A playful representation that emphasizes and distorts defining traits of a person or idea, often invoking humor or criticism
3. A depiction that amplifies notable traits to provide either humor or criticism

Etymology: The word looks like it should belong to the family of "character," but the two are unrelated. "Caricature" was borrowed into English from French, which took it from Italian "caricatura," meaning a loaded or exaggerated portrait. Behind the Italian sits Latin "carrus," a wheeled vehicle, most likely because the idea was of a picture overloaded or stuffed, as a cart is loaded. "Character," by contrast, comes from Ancient Greek "kharaktēr," meaning a stamp or engraving tool, and later a distinguishing mark or type. The two words met in English only by coincidence of spelling-led resemblance, not by descent. The exaggerating sense of "caricature" is thus rooted in heavy loading rather than in anything to do with a person's nature, even though the word now describes exactly that kind of portrait.

Synonyms: cartoon, parody, exaggeration, mockery, representation

Antonyms: portrait, realism