scaramouch Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a stock character in commedia dell'arte depicted as a boastful coward
    Scaramouche.

WordNet

Scar"a*mouch` noun
Etymology
F. scaramouche, It.scaramuccio, scaramuccia, originally the name of a celebrated Italian comedian; cf. It. scaramuccia, scaramuccio, F. escarmouche, skirmish. Cf. Skirmish.
Definitions
  1. A personage in the old Italian comedy (derived from Spain) characterized by great boastfulness and poltroonery; hence, a person of like characteristics; a buffoon.

Webster 1913