In the morris-dance, and on the stage (in burlesques, pantomimes, etc.), a figure of a horse, made of wickerwork, or other light material…

A character in Italian comedy, subsequently in French light comedy; in English pantomime a mute character supposed to be invisible to the clown…

= hobby-horse, n. 2.

A character in Italian Comedy, the mistress of Harlequin, transferred to English pantomime or harlequinade.

in modern use, one of the characters in a pantomime or harlequinade; also a similar character in a circus.

= hobby-horse, n. 2. Obsolete or Historical.

Theatre. Usually with capital initial. Originally: (in Italian commedia dell'arte) a Venetian character representing authority and the older…

a female harlequin.

A kind of sleeved, close-fitting jacket or bodice, worn by women in the late 18th cent., having a low neck and basques extending slightly below the…

A woman dressed as a Pierrot; the female counterpart of a Pierrot.

In full dobby-horse. A wooden figure of a horse. Cf. hobby-horse, n. 2 4b.

the leading male role in a pantomime, usually played by a woman; an actress playing this role.

the leading female role in a pantomime; an actress playing this role.

In modern pantomime, a comic character, that of a middle-aged woman, traditionally played by a man.