Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Parody \Par"o*dy\, n.; pl. {Parodies}. [L. parodia, Gr. ?; ?
   beside + ? a song: cf. F. parodie. See {Para-}, and {Ode}.]
   1. A writing in which the language or sentiment of an author
      is mimicked; especially, a kind of literary pleasantry, in
      which what is written on one subject is altered, and
      applied to another by way of burlesque; travesty.

            The lively parody which he wrote . . . on Dryden's
            ``Hind and Panther'' was received with great
            applause.                             --Macaulay.

   2. A popular maxim, adage, or proverb. [Obs.]