n.
- A drawing depicting a humorous situation, often accompanied by a caption.
- A drawing representing current public figures or issues symbolically and often satirically: a political cartoon.
- A preliminary sketch similar in size to the work, such as a fresco, that is to be copied from it.
- An animated cartoon.
- A comic strip.
- A ridiculously oversimplified or stereotypical representation: criticized the actor's portrayal of Jefferson as a historically inaccurate cartoon.
v., -tooned, -toon·ing, -toons. v.tr.
To draw a humorous or satirical representation of; caricature.
v.intr.
To make humorous or satirical drawings.
[French carton, drawing, from Italian cartone, pasteboard. See carton.]
cartoonish car·toon'ish or car·toon'y adj.cartoonist car·toon'ist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
