harlequin

[ hahr-luh-kwin, -kin ]
/ ˈhɑr lə kwɪn, -kɪn /

noun

(often initial capital letter) a comic character in commedia dell'arte and the harlequinade, usually masked, dressed in multicolored, diamond-patterned tights, and carrying a wooden sword or magic wand.
a buffoon.
any of various small snakes having bright diamond-pattern scales.

adjective

fancifully varied in color, decoration, etc.: harlequin pants.
resembling a harlequin's mask: harlequin glasses.

Origin of harlequin

1580–90; < French, Middle French ( h)arlequin, semantically (and in part phonetically) < Italian arlecchino < Middle French, phonetically continuing Old French *harlequin, halequin a malevolent spirit (Compare mesniee Hellequin a troop of demonic horsemen, literally, Hellequin's escort), probably < Middle English *Herla king, Old English *Her(e)la cyning King Herle, presumably a legendary figure, rendered in AL as Herla rex; compare Old High German Herilo a personal name, derivative of heri armed forces

OTHER WORDS FROM harlequin

har·le·quin·ism, noun

Example sentences from the Web for harlequin

British Dictionary definitions for harlequin

harlequin
/ (ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn) /

noun

(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 mask
a clown or buffoon

adjective

varied in colour or decoration
(of certain animals) having a white coat with irregular patches of black or other dark colour harlequin Great Dane
comic; ludicrous

Word Origin for harlequin

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