online medical dictionary | definition of satire

1. A composition, generally poetical, holding up vice or folly to reprobation; a keen or severe exposure of what in public or private morals deserves rebuke; an invective poem; as, the Satires of Juvenal.

2. Keeness and severity of remark; caustic exposure to reprobation; trenchant wit; sarcasm.

Synonyms: Lampoon, sarcasm, irony, ridicule, pasquinade, burlesque, wit, humor.

Origin: L. Satira, satura, fr. Satura (sc. Lanx) a dish filled with various kinds of fruits, food composed of various ingredients, a mixture, a medley, fr. Satur full of food, sated, fr. Sat, satis, enough: cf. F. Satire. See Sate, Sad, and cf. Saturate.

(01 Mar 1998)