sat·ire
(s
t
r
)
KEY
NOUN:
-
- A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.
- The branch of literature constituting such works. See Synonyms at caricature.
- Irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin
satira, probably alteration (influenced by Greek
satur,
satyr, and
saturos,
burlesque of a mythical episode), of
(lanx) satura,
fruit (plate) mixture, from feminine of
satur,
sated, well-fitted; see
s
- in Indo-European roots
