'Harlequin duck' definitions:

Definition of 'Harlequin duck'

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]