picaresque (2009-11-28)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [pi-kê-'resk]

Definition: Pertaining to the life of an adventurous rogue, usually of low origin, who uses his wits to overcome obstacles and survive in a world bent on arresting his progress. Pertaining to novel whose main character is such a person.

Usage: Picaresque novels are not as popular today as they have been in the past but the word begs for wider use such as, "Molly Coddle has picked up with a fellow who seems to have lived a rather picaresque life up to now." Molly's boyfriend would be something of a "picaroon," not just a rogue but one with a string of adventures involving brushes with law enforcement to his credit.

Suggested Usage: Today's term is most widely used in referring to novels about the adventures of a sly romantic rogue. These novels began in Spain but soon spread throughout Europe. 'Guzmán de Alfarache' (1599) by Mateo Alemán is the earliest and Henry Fielding's "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling" (1749) is probably the best such novel in English. Today's adjective is based on the Spanish word picaro (or picaroon) "an adventurous rogue" while a picara is his female counterpart, e.g. Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders.

Etymology: From Spanish "picaresco," the adjective from pícaro, perhaps from picar "to prick" from Vulgar Latin *piccare. Akin to French pique "a prick, irritation" from piquer "to prick" which is the origin of English pique "to provoke" (Harold's odd accent piqued Adie's curiosity), "to be proud" (He piqued himself in his well-kempt mutton-chops), and "to vex" (She was piqued at her children for hiding her glass eye).