harlequin

har·le·quin

H0065900 (här′lĭ-kwĭn, -kĭn)n.1. Harlequin A conventional buffoon of the commedia dell'arte, traditionally presented in a mask and parti-colored tights.2. A clown; a buffoon.adj. Having a pattern of brightly colored diamond shapes.

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[Obsolete French, from Old French Herlequin, Hellequin, a demon, perhaps from Middle English *Herleking, from Old English Herla cyning, King Herla, a mythical figure identified with Woden.]

harlequin

(ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn) n1. (Theatre) (sometimes capital) theatre a stock comic character originating in the commedia dell'arte; the foppish lover of Columbine in the English harlequinade. He is usually represented in diamond-patterned multicoloured tights, wearing a black mask2. a clown or buffoonadj3. varied in colour or decoration4. (Zoology) (of certain animals) having a white coat with irregular patches of black or other dark colour: harlequin Great Dane. 5. comic; ludicrous[C16: from Old French Herlequin, Hellequin leader of band of demon horsemen, perhaps from Middle English Herle king (unattested) King Herle, mythical being identified with Woden]

har•le•quin

(ˈhɑr lə kwɪn, -kɪn)

n. 1. (often cap.) a comic character in commedia dell'arte and the harlequinade, usu. masked, dressed in multicolored, diamond-patterned tights, and carrying a wooden sword or magic wand. 2. a buffoon. adj. 3. fancifully colorful. [1580–90; < French, Middle French (h)arlequin < Italian arlecchino < Old French *harlequin, halequin a malevolent spirit, probably < Middle English *Herla king, Old English *Her(e)la cyning King Herle, presumably a legendary figure, rendered in Anglo-Latin as Herla rex]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	harlequin - a clown or buffoon (after the Harlequin character in the commedia dell'arte)merry andrew, buffoon, clown, goof, goofball - a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
Verb	1.	harlequin - variegate with spots or marks; "His face was harlequined with patches"dapple, mottle, cloud - colour with streaks or blotches of different shades

harlequin

adjective colourful, rainbow, psychedelic, variegated, chequered, jazzy, multicoloured, kaleidoscopic, many-coloured, polychromatic, varicoloured the striking harlequin floor

Translations

Harlekinarlequinbaladinarlecchinomulticolorevariopinto