Har"le*quin (?), 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.]
A buffoon, dressed in party-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., a small, poisonous snake (Elaps fulvius), ringed with red and black, found in the Southern United States.
© Webster 1913.
Har"le*quin (?), n. i.
To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.
© Webster 1913.
Har"le*quin, v. t.
To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.
And kitten,if the humor hit
Has harlequined away the fit.
M. Green.
© Webster 1913.