picaresque

[ pik-uh-resk ]
/ ˌpɪk əˈrɛsk /

adjective

pertaining to, characteristic of, or characterized by a form of prose fiction, originally developed in Spain, in which the adventures of an engagingly roguish hero are described in a series of usually humorous or satiric episodes that often depict, in realistic detail, the everyday life of the common people: picaresque novel; picaresque hero.
of, relating to, or resembling rogues.

Origin of picaresque

From the Spanish word picaresco, dating back to 1800–10. See picaro, -esque

OTHER WORDS FROM picaresque

un·pic·a·resque, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH picaresque

picaresque picturesque (see synonym study at picturesque)

Words nearby picaresque

Example sentences from the Web for picaresque

British Dictionary definitions for picaresque

picaresque
/ (ˌpɪkəˈrɛsk) /

adjective

of or relating to a type of fiction in which the hero, a rogue, goes through a series of episodic adventures. It originated in Spain in the 16th century
of or involving rogues or picaroons

Word Origin for picaresque

C19: via French from Spanish picaresco, from pícaro a rogue