Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Harlequin
Har′le-quin
(här′lē̍-kĭn or här′lē̍-kwĭn)
, Noun.
[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 parti-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.
As dumb
harlequin
is exhibited in our theaters. Johnson.
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 antennae. 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 (
– Euchaetes 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.Har′le-quin
(här′lē̍-kĭn or -kwĭn)
, Verb.
I.
To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.
Har′le-quin
,Verb.
T.
To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin’s trick.
And kitten, if the humor hit
Has
Has
harlequined
away the fit. M. Green.