Definition of satirical

The word "satirical" has its origins in the Latin term "saturarius," which referred to a type of poem that was written in a humorous and exaggerated style. This term was used by the Roman poet Juvenal, who wrote a collection of poems called the "Satires." The term "satirical" itself can be traced back to the early 17th century, when it was adopted by English writers to describe works that used irony, sarcasm, and humor to criticize society and politics. The first recorded use of the word in this sense was by the writer Joseph Addison, in his essay "The Imperial Theme" in 1711. Addison defined satire as "an instructor in points of morality, by the representation of men and manners; where the vices of the world are held up to view, and their faults are drawn in lively colors, by the help of comic wit and raillery." He argued that satire was an important tool in both entertainment and education, as it could help to expose the vices and follies of society while also providing amusement and pleasure to the reader. In modern times, the word "satirical" has come to refer not just to literary works, but also to media forms such as humor, television shows, and political commentary that use satire to criticize and analyze society and politics. Satirical works are often characterized by their use of irony, hyperbole, and parody to criticize social and political issues in a humorous and entertaining way.