travesty
Meaning: A false, absurd, or distorted representation of something; a debased or grotesque imitation that mocks or degrades the original.
Travesty is most commonly encountered in the phrase 'a travesty of justice,' where it denotes a legal process so flawed as to be farcical. More broadly, it describes any situation where something important or valuable has been so badly handled that the result bears no meaningful resemblance to what was intended. The word is always used to express strong disapproval or outrage.
Examples
- Defence lawyers described the verdict as a travesty of justice that would be appealed immediately. 辩护律师称该判决是对正义的嘲弄,将立即提起上诉。Los abogados defensores calificaron el veredicto de farsa judicial que sería apelada de inmediato.弁護側の弁護士は判決を正義の茶番と評し、直ちに控訴すると述べた。변호인단은 그 판결을 정의의 희화화라고 규정하며 즉시 항소할 것이라고 밝혔다.
- The renovation was a travesty — the building's Georgian character had been entirely obliterated. 那次翻修简直是一场灾难——建筑的乔治王时代风格被完全抹杀了。La renovación fue un despropósito: el carácter georgiano del edificio había sido enteramente destruido.その改修は惨憺たるものだった——建物のジョージア様式の趣は完全に失われていた。그 리모델링은 참담한 것이었다——건물의 조지아 양식 특성이 완전히 말살되었다.
- To call the election free and fair would be a travesty of the truth. 把这次选举称为自由公正的选举,是对真相的歪曲。Calificar las elecciones de libres y justas sería una burda tergiversación de la verdad.この選挙を自由で公正なものと呼ぶことは、真実の歪曲にほかならない。이 선거를 자유롭고 공정하다고 부르는 것은 진실의 왜곡에 다름 아니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, legal, general
Tone: disapproving
Origin & History
From French travesti, past participle of travestir meaning to disguise, from Italian travestire, from tra (across) and vestire (to dress). Originally referred to literary burlesque in 17th-century English.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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