Hudibrastic

[ hyoo-duh-bras-tik, or, often, yoo- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling the style of Samuel Butler's Hudibras (published 1663–78), a mock-heroic poem written in tetrameter couplets.
2. of a playful burlesque style.

noun

1. a Hudibrastic couplet or stanza.

hudibrastic

/ ˌhjuːdɪˈbræstɪk /

adjective

1. mock-heroic in style

Other Words From

• Hudi·brasti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hudibrastic¹

1705–15; Hudibras + -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hudibrastic¹

C18: after Hudibras, poem (1663–68) by Samuel Butler

Example Sentences

This saucy boy, who had his "Hudibras" at his tongue's end, carried the satirical spirit with him to church on Sundays, and tried some of the brethren whom he saw there by the Hudibrastic standard.

From Project Gutenberg

Ross, now-a-days best known as the Ross of Hudibrastic memory.

From Project Gutenberg

They are cruel in their desperation, vicious in the moment of victory; and they yell for mercy in the hour of their defeat; the only soldiers I have known to exercise this form of—I will not call it cowardice—Hudibrastic caution.

From Project Gutenberg

The young man at the wheel pursed his lips as if he were going to whistle; then he appeared to comprehend suddenly and went off in another gust of Hudibrastic mirth.

From Project Gutenberg

With its jog-trot meter, insinuating swiftness, and jarring double and triple rhymes, the Hudibrastic couplet was ideally suited to the mockery performed by low burlesque.

From Project Gutenberg