Burlesque (bur LESK) - a ludicrous, mocking, or exaggerated imitation Example: Vaudeville actors frequently performed burlesque works on the stage.

Beset (bi SET) Definition: to harass; to surround Sentence: The bereaved widow was beset by grief.

Bereaved (buh REEVD) Definition: deprived or left desolate, especially through death Sentence: The children were bereaved by the death of their pet. Then they got a new pet.

Banal (buh NAL) Definition: unoriginal; ordinary Sentence: The dinner conversation was so banal that Amanda fell asleep in her dessert dish.

Burlesque (bur LESK) Definition: a ludicrous, mocking, or exaggerated imitation Sentence: Vaudeville actors frequently performed burlesque works on the stage.

Bane (bayn) Definition: poison; torment; cause of harm Sentence: Bane means poison(wolfbane is a kind of poisonous plant), but the word is usually used figuratively. To say that someone is the bane of your existence is to say that that person poisons your enjoyment of life.

Blithe (blythe) - carefree; cheerful Example: The blithe birds in the garden were making so much noise that Paul began to think about the shotgun in the attic.