Harlequin
WordNet
noun
(1) A clown or buffoon (after the Harlequin character in the commedia dell'arte)
verb
(2) Variegate with spots or marks
"His face was harlequined with patches"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
from Middle Dutch , then in French hellequin and in Italian Arlecchino, the name of a popular servant character in commedia dell'arte plays from *Harlequin, Halequin, Herlequin, Hellequin "a demon, malevolent spirit" ult. from Herleking from Herla Cyning "King Herla", a mythical figure identified with Woden.
Noun
- a pantomime clown, typically dressed in checkered clothes
- 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
- ... were certainly the worst and dullest company into which an audience was ever introduced; and (which was a secret known to few) were actually intended so to be, in order to contrast the comic part of the entertainment, and to display the tricks of harlequin to the better advantage.
- 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
Usage notes
- Because of its origin in the name of an Italian theatrical character, English Harlequin is often used as a proper name.
Adjective
harlequin
- brightly coloured, especially in a pattern like that of a harlequin clown's clothes