harlequin

  • 1Harlequin — (Arlecchino in Italian, Arlequin in French) is the most popular of the zanni or comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell Arte . OriginsThere are these theories about the origin of the term Harlequin: * Via Italian Arlecchino from… …

    Wikipedia

  • 2Harlequin — Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [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}.]… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3Harlequin — Har le*quin, v. t. To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin s trick. [1913 Webster] And kitten, if the humor hit Has harlequined away the fit. M. Green. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4harlequin — (n.) 1580s, from M.Fr. harlequin, from O.Fr. Herlequin, Hellequin, etc., leader of la maisnie Hellequin, a troop of demons who rode the night air on horses. He corresponds to O.E. Herla cyning King Herla, mythical character sometimes identified… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5harlequin — ► NOUN (Harlequin) ▪ a mute character in traditional pantomime, typically masked and dressed in a diamond patterned costume. ► ADJECTIVE ▪ in varied colours; variegated. ORIGIN French, from earlier Herlequin, the leader of a legendary troop of… …

    English terms dictionary

  • 6Harlequin — [här′li kwin, här′likin] n. [Fr harlequin, arlequin < OFr hierlekin, hellequin, demon: Fr sense & form infl. by It arlecchino < same OFr source] 1. a traditional comic character in pantomime, who wears a mask and spangled, diamond patterned …

    English World dictionary

  • 7Harlequin — Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), v. i. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 8Harlequin —    Film fantastique de Simon Wincer, avec Robert Powell, Carmen Dunca, David Hemmings.   Pays: Australie   Date de sortie: 1980   Technique: couleurs   Durée: 1 h 36    Résumé    Un inconnu pénètre dans la maison d un sénateur et redonne… …

    Dictionnaire mondial des Films

  • 9Harlequin F.C. — For the rugby league club, see Harlequins Rugby League. Harlequins Full name Harlequins Football Club Nickname(s) Quins Founded …

    Wikipedia

  • 10harlequin — harlequinism, n. /hahr leuh kwin, kin/, n. 1. (often cap.) 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. 2. a buffoon. 3 …

    Universalium