word
Literary
Picaresque
pik-ah-RESK
/ˌpɪkəˈrɛsk/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
Picaresque
Dictionary meaning
A genre of fiction featuring a roguish hero of low social class living by wits.
History and origin
Spanish
Examples
- Don Quixote is often considered an early picaresque novel.
Pronunciation tips
Three syllables. Stress on third syllable. From Spanish 'pícaro' (rogue).
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