caricature
Meaning: A picture or description that exaggerates someone's distinctive features or characteristics for comic or satirical effect; a ludicrously simplified version of something.
Caricature has a long tradition in British culture, from the Georgian satirical prints of James Gillray and Thomas Rowlandson to modern political cartoons. As both a noun and a verb, it implies deliberate exaggeration rather than accurate representation. Figuratively, describing something as 'a caricature' means it is a crude, distorted version of reality — as in 'the character is a caricature of a working-class northerner.'
Examples
- The political cartoonist drew a devastating caricature of the prime minister with an enormous nose and tiny eyes. 那位政治漫画家画了一幅尖刻的首相讽刺画——鼻子硕大无比,眼睛却小得可怜。El dibujante político hizo una caricatura demoledora del primer ministro con una nariz enorme y unos ojos diminutos.その政治風刺画家は、巨大な鼻と小さな目で首相の痛烈なカリカチュアを描きました。그 정치 풍자 만화가는 거대한 코와 작은 눈으로 총리의 통렬한 캐리커처를 그렸습니다.
- The villain in the film is a caricature rather than a believable character, stripped of all nuance. 电影中的反派与其说是一个可信的角色,不如说是一幅漫画,所有细微之处都被剥去了。El villano de la película es una caricatura más que un personaje creíble, despojado de todo matiz.映画の悪役は信頼できるキャラクターというよりカリカチュアであり、あらゆるニュアンスが削ぎ落とされています。영화 속 악역은 설득력 있는 인물이라기보다 캐리커처에 가까우며, 모든 뉘앙스가 제거되어 있습니다.
- Street artists in Covent Garden offer to draw caricatures of tourists for a few pounds. 科文特花园的街头艺术家以几英镑为游客画讽刺漫画。Los artistas callejeros de Covent Garden ofrecen dibujar caricaturas de los turistas por unas pocas libras.コヴェント・ガーデンのストリートアーティストたちは、数ポンドで観光客のカリカチュアを描いてくれます。코벤트 가든의 거리 화가들은 몇 파운드에 관광객의 캐리커처를 그려 줍니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Italian caricatura (an exaggeration, a satirical picture), from caricare (to load, to exaggerate), from Vulgar Latin carricare (to load a cart). Entered English in the 18th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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