buffoon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a rude or vulgar fool
    clown.
  2. noun a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
    goof; goofball; clown; merry andrew.

WordNet

Buf*foon" noun
Etymology
F. bouffon (cf. It. buffone, buffo, buffa, puff of wind, vanity, nonsense, trick), fr. bouffer to puff out, because the buffoons puffed out their cheeks for the amusement of the spectators. See Buffet a blow.
Definitions
  1. A man who makes a practice of amusing others by low tricks, antic gestures, etc.; a droll; a mimic; a harlequin; a clown; a merry-andrew.
Buf*foon" adjective
Definitions
  1. Characteristic of, or like, a buffoon. "Buffoon stories." Macaulay.
    To divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic dances. Melmoth.
Buf*foon" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To act the part of a buffoon. R.
Buf*foon" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To treat with buffoonery. Glanvill.

Webster 1913