Caricature

“Caricature (noun): Exaggerated, distorted, of oversimplified representation of someone of something, as by accenting certain qualities or traits, whether intentionally for ludicrous effect or unintentionally, as in a too broadly or shallowly fictional character; gross or reductive imitation. Adjective: caricaturable, caricatural; noun: caricaturist; verb: Caricature.

‘As always with Mcaulay, the portrait was exaggerated—a caricature rather than a portrait—but, alas, caricatures usually include more than a grain of truth?’ J.H. Plumb, The New York Times.”

Excerpted from: Grambs, David. The Random House Dictionary for Writers and Readers. New York: Random House, 1990.