harlequin Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a clown or buffoon (after the Harlequin character in the commedia dell'arte)
  2. verb variegate with spots or marks
    • His face was harlequined with patches

WordNet

Har"le*quin noun
Etymology
F. arlequin,formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. Hell, Kin.
Definitions
  1. A buffoon, dressed in party-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. Johnson.
Har"le*quin noun i
Definitions
  1. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.
Har"le*quin transitive verb
Definitions
  1. Toremove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.
    And kitten,if the humor hit Has harlequined away the fit. M. Green.

Webster 1913