Satire

Origin

Implied in satiric (attested in 1387), from Latin satira, from earlier satura, from lanx satura ("full dish"), from feminine of satur. Altered in Latin by influence of Ancient Greek σάτυρος (saturos, "satyr"), on the mistaken notion that the form is related to the Greek σατυρικόν δράμα (saturikon drama, "satyr drama").

Full definition of satire

Noun

1. (uncountable) A literary device of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. Humour, irony and exaggeration are often used to aid this.
   A stinging satire of American politics.
2. (countable) A satirical work.

Derived terms

• satiric, satirical
• satirically
• satirist

Anagrams

• striae
• terais