Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
Rabelaisian [rab-uh-ley-zee-uh n, -zhuh n] ExamplesWord Origin adjective
- of, relating to, or suggesting François Rabelais, whose work is characterized by broad, coarse humor and keen satire.
noun
- a person who admires or studies the works of Rabelais.
Origin of Rabelaisian First recorded in 1855–60; Rabelais + -ian Examples from the Web for rabelaisian Historical Examples of rabelaisian
The book and its Rabelaisian criticisms have been long since forgotten.
The Bell-Ringer of Angel’s and Other Stories
Bret Harte
“Lost” was not the exact phrase, Boucher being a Rabelaisian wag, but it will pass.
Haldane Macfall
Except for these, the book is characterized by a truly Rabelaisian humor.
The History of Yiddish Literature in the Nineteenth Century
Leo Wiener
Thus mediæval play is epical in its Rabelaisian plainness of speech.
James Huneker
We must stand on our feet in all our Rabelaisian nakedness, and watch the world fade.
Walter de la Mare
British Dictionary definitions for rabelaisian Rabelaisian adjective
- of, relating to, or resembling the work of Rabelais, esp by broad, often bawdy humour and sharp satire
noun
- a student or admirer of Rabelais
Derived FormsRabelaisianism, noun Word Origin and History for rabelaisian Rabelaisian adj.
1817, from French author François Rabelais (c.1490-1553), whose writings “are distinguished by exuberance of imagination and language combined with extravagance and coarseness of humor and satire.” [OED]