Menippean

Etymology
.

Adjective

 * 1) Of or relating to the Ancient Greek cynic parodist and polemicist  (3rd century BCE).
 * 2)  Of or relating to a form of satire, usually in prose, which has a length and structure similar to a novel and is characterized by attacking mental attitudes instead of specific individuals.

Usage notes

 * In the classical context, the term distinguishes Menippus' style of satire from the earlier style pioneered by Aristophanes, which was based on personal attacks.
 * The term is used by classical grammarians and by philologists mostly to refer to satires in prose (compare ).