harlequin

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A pantomime fool, typically dressed in colorful checkered clothes, used as a stock character in commedia dell'arte and other genres.
2. (countable, uncountable) A greenish-chartreuse color.
3. (countable, informal, uncountable) A harlequin duck.
4. (countable, uncountable) Any of various riodinid butterflies of the genera Taxila and Praetaxila.

Adj

1. (not-comparable) Brightly colored, especially in a pattern like that of a harlequin clown's clothes.
2. (not-comparable) Of a greenish-chartreuse color.

Verb

1. (transitive) To remove or conjure away, as if by a harlequin's trick.
2. (intransitive) To make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.

Synonyms

clown

jester

buffoon

joker

fool

ludicrous

particoloured

wag

zany

harlequin fish

antic

harlequin rasbora

broadbill

burlesque

comedian

droll

Translations

arlequin

arlequín

baladin

harlekijn

palyaço

Hampelmann

hansworst

clown

Zappelphilipp

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/

Etymology

Cognate with Italian: Arlecchino

Cognate with Old Frisian: helle kin

Cognate with Old English: helle cyn

Cognate with Old Norse: heljar kyn

Cognate with Middle English: Hurlewain

In summary

From earlier Harlicken, from Middle French Harlequin (in Italian Arlecchino, the name of a popular servant character in commedia dell'arte plays), from Old French Harlequin, Halequin, Herlequin, Hellequin, Hierlekin, Hellekin (a demon, malevolent spirit), probably of Germanic origin, connected to the Old English figure of Herla Cyning (“King Herla”, a mythical figure identified with Woden) or possibly to Old Frisian helle kin, Old English helle cyn, Old Norse heljar kyn (“the kindred of Hell”). Related to Middle English Hurlewain (“a mischievous sprite or goblin”).