Definition of: cartoon

(kär·tn′) noun
1. A drawing or caricature as in a newspaper or periodical; especially, one intended to affect public opinion as to some matter or person.
2. A sketch for a fresco or mosaic.
3. A comic strip.
4. A motion-picture film, called an animated cartoon, made by photographing a series of carefully prepared black-and-white or colored drawings, each representing a further stage in the action of the film, which is usually synchronized for sound effects and music. See synonyms under PICTURE.
—v.t. To make a caricature or cartoon of; satirize pictorially.
—v.i. To make cartoons. [<F carton <Ital. cartone paste-board, aug. of carta card <L charta paper]
—car·toon′ist noun