noun

1. 1. a literary work in which vices, follies, stupidities, abuses, etc. are held up to ridicule and contempt
   2. such literary works collectively, or the art of writing them
2. the use of ridicule, sarcasm, irony, etc. to expose, attack, or deride vices, follies, etc.

Etymology: Fr < L satira or satura, satire, poetic medley < (lanx) satura, (dish) of various fruits, prob. < Etr, of Thracian orig.