Dictionary-Definition.com :: Harlequin definition

Definition of 'harlequin'

noun

A clown or buffoon (after the Harlequin character in the commedia dell'arte)

verb

Variegate with spots or marks; "His face was harlequined with patches"

From: GCIDE

Harlequin \Har"le*quin\ (h[aum]r"l[-e]*k[i^]n or -kw[i^]n), n. [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.] 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. [1913 Webster]
As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
Harlequin bat (Zool.), an Indian bat ({Scotophilus ornatus}), curiously variegated with white spots.
Harlequin beetle (Zool.), a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antenn[ae]. The elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray.
Harlequin cabbage bug. (Zool.) See Calicoback.
Harlequin caterpillar. (Zool.), the larva of an American bombycid moth (Euch[ae]tes egle) which is covered with black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair.
Harlequin duck (Zool.), a North American duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). The male is dark ash, curiously streaked with white.
Harlequin moth. (Zool.) See Magpie Moth.
Harlequin opal. See Opal.
Harlequin snake (Zool.), See harlequin snake in the vocabulary. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Harlequin \Har"le*quin\ (h[aum]r"l[-e]*k[i^]n or -kw[i^]n), v. i. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Harlequin \Har"le*quin\, v. t. To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick. [1913 Webster]
And kitten, if the humor hit Has harlequined away the fit. --M. Green. [1913 Webster]