Harlequin — Defs

01 n. A buffoon, dressed in parti-colored clothes, who plays tricks, often without speaking, to divert the bystanders or an audience; a merry-and…

1.
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.
“As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters.” — Johnson.

Phrases & compounds

Harlequin bat — an Indian bat (Scotophilus ornatus), curiously variegated with white spots.

Harlequin beetle — 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 — See Calicoback.

Harlequin caterpillar — the larva of an American bombycid moth (Euchaetes egle) which is covered with black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair.

Harlequin duck — a North American duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). The male is dark ash, curiously streaked with white.

Harlequin moth — See Magpie Moth.

Harlequin opal — See Opal.

Harlequin snake — See harlequin snake in the vocabulary.

02 v. i. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.

1.
To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.

03 v. t. To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.

1.
To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.
“And kitten, if the humor hit Has harlequined away the fit.” — M. Green.