Scaramouch

[ skar-uh-mouch, -moosh ]

/ ˈskær əˌmaʊtʃ, -ˌmuʃ /

a stock character in commedia dell'arte and farce who is a cowardly braggart, easily beaten and frightened.

(lowercase) a rascal or scamp.

Origin of Scaramouch

1655–65; < French Scaramouche < Italian Scaramuccia, proper use of scaramuccia skirmish (applied in jest); of Germanic orig.

"You are a man of discernment, Binet," said Scaramouche, the cold loathing of his voice itself an insult.

Scaramouche |Rafael Sabatini
Scaramouche is known to us, and Gautier has immortalised Fracasse.

The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the first |Count Carlo Gozzi
She had ceased to sneer at Scaramouche, having realized at last that her sneers left him untouched and recoiled upon herself.

Scaramouche |Rafael Sabatini
Scaramouche was clearly a great gentleman, an eccentric if you please, but a man born.

Scaramouche |Rafael Sabatini

Meditating in bed that morning, Scaramouche had decided to present himself in a totally different aspect.

Scaramouche |Rafael Sabatini

Scaramouch

/ (ˈskærəˌmaʊtʃ, -ˌmuːtʃ) /

a stock character who appears as a boastful coward in commedia dell'arte and farce

C17: via French from Italian Scaramuccia, from scaramuccia a skirmish