Harlequin
Harlequin (har"le*kin or har"le*kwin) , noun
[French arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (compare It, arlecchino), prob. from Old French hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; compare Dutch hel hell. Compare Hell, Kin.]
A buffoon, dressed in parti-colored clothes, who plays tricks, often without speaking, to divert the bystanders or an audience; a merry-andrew; originally, a droll rogue of Italian comedy. — Percy Smith
As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters.
Collocations (8)
Harlequin bat (Zoology) , an Indian bat (Scotophilus ornatus), curiously variegated with white spots.
Harlequin beetle (Zoology) , a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antennae. The elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray.
Harlequin caterpillar (Zoology) , the larva of an American bombycid moth (Euchaetes egle) which is covered with black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair.
Harlequin duck (Zoology) , a North American duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). The male is dark ash, curiously streaked with white.
Harlequin moth (Zoology) , See Magpie Moth.
Harlequin opal , See Opal.
Harlequin (har"le*kin o -kwin) , intransitive verb
To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.
Harlequin , transitive verb
To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.
And kitten, if the humor hit
Has harlequined away the fit.