pasquinade

[ pas-kwuh-neyd ]

noun

1. a satire or lampoon, especially one posted in a public place.

verb (used with object)

, pas·quin·ad·ed, pas·quin·ad·ing.

1. to assail in a pasquinade or pasquinades.

pasquinade

/ ˌpæskwɪˈneɪd; ˈpæskwɪl /

noun

1. an abusive lampoon or satire, esp one posted in a public place

verb

1. tr to ridicule with pasquinade

Derived Forms

• ˌpasquinˈader, noun

Other Words From

• pasquin·ader noun
• pas·quin·i·an [pas-, kwin, -ee-, uh, n], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pasquinade¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from French, from Italian pasquinata “lampoon, satire,” derivative of Italian Pasquino, supposedly the name of a local Roman schoolmaster (or tailor, or shoemaker, or barber) and the nickname given to a 3rd-century b.c. Roman statue that was unearthed in 1501 and was annually decorated and posted with verses + -ata feminine noun suffix; -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pasquinade¹

C17: from Italian Pasquino name given to an ancient Roman statue disinterred in 1501, which was annually posted with satirical verses

Example Sentences

Through this literary pasquinade, Petri skewers the status quo, asking: Who needs an iota of intellect or humanity when blind dogma and senseless injustice will do just fine?

From New York Times

"Do not throw Pasquino into the Tiber," said the Spanish embassador, "lest he should teach all the frogs in the river to croak pasquinades."

From Project Gutenberg

Poor Charles Kean was an especial object of Lewes's detestation, and was accordingly pelted and peppered with torturingly clever and piquant pasquinades in the form of criticism.

From Project Gutenberg

Mademoiselle de Limeuil, one of the queen’s maids of honour, was flagellated for having written a pasquinade, in company with all the young ladies who had been privy to the composition.

From Project Gutenberg

It was at him, while minister, the pasquinade was leveled, "You had better declare, which you may without shocking 'em, The nation's asleep and the minister Rocking'em."

From Project Gutenberg