(satira MENIPPEA), a kind of satire consisting of prose and verse intermixed. It is thus called from Menippus a cynic philosopher who delighted in composing satirical letters, &c. In imitation of him, Varro also wrote satires under the title of Satire Menippae: whence this sort of composition is also denominated Varronian satire.

Among the moderns there is a famous piece under this title first published in 1594, against the chiefs of the league, called also the Catholicon of Spain. It is esteemed a masterpiece for the time.