| Lampoon | n. [ F. lampon a drinking song, fr. lampons let us drink, -- the burden of such a song, fr. lamper to guzzle, to drink much and greedily; of German origin, and akin to E. lap to drink. Prob. so called because drinking songs often contain personal slander or satire. ] 1. A personal satire in writing; usually, malicious and abusive censure written only to reproach and distress. [ 1913 Webster ] Like her who missed her name in a lampoon,
And grieved to find herself decayed so soon. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Hence: Any satire ridiculing or mocking a person, activity, or institution by representing its character or behavior in an exaggerated or grotesque form; the representation may be written, filmed, or performed as a live skit, and may be intended as a severe reproach, or as good-natured humor. [ PJC ] |
| Lampoon | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Lampooned p. pr. & vb. n. Lampooning. ] To subject to abusive ridicule expressed in a work of art; to make (a person, behavior, or institution) the subject of a lampoon. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] Ribald poets had lampooned him. Macaulay. Syn. -- To libel; defame; satirize; lash. [ 1913 Webster ] |
