1. Plural of pasquil; lampoons, satires, or abusive writings, especially anonymous ones posted publicly to ridicule or attack someone.
Usage: archaic; literary; often historical reference to 16th–18th century satirical tradition

Examples

• The politician's enemies distributed pasquils throughout the city to damage his reputation.
• During the Renaissance, pasquils were a common form of political protest and social commentary.
• Anonymous pasquils attacking the king were found posted on church doors.
• The tradition of pasquils influenced the development of modern satirical journalism.
• Scholars study historical pasquils to understand the grievances of common people in earlier centuries.