A shameful or ridiculous imitation or representation of something; a grotesque misrepresentation.
From French 'travesti' (disguised), from Italian 'travestire' (to dress in disguise), from 'trans-' (across) + 'vestire' (to dress). Originally meant a burlesque or parody performance in theater, later came to mean any mockery.
The word started as theater slang for comedians dressing in costume to mock serious performances—it's why we still talk about 'travesty' when something important gets laughably ruined or disrespected.
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