WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Har"le*quin
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [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.]
Definition : Defn: 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 (Zo?l.), an Indian bat (Scotophilus ornatus), curiously variegated with white spots. -- Harlequin beetle (Zo?l.), a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antenn?. The elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray. -- Harlequin cabbage bug. (Zo?l.) See Calicoback. -- Harlequin caterpillar. (Zo?l.), the larva of an American bombycid moth (Euch?tes egle) which is covered with black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair. -- Harlequin duck (Zo?l.), a North American duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). The male is dark ash, curiously streaked with white. -- Harlequin moth. (Zo?l.) See Magpie Moth. -- Harlequin opal. See Opal. -- Harlequin snake (Zo?l.), a small, poisonous snake (Elaps fulvius), ringed with red and black, found in the Southern United States.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Har"le*quin
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : Defn: To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.

i.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Har"le*quin
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : Defn: Toremove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick. And kitten,if the humor hit Has harlequined away the fit. M. Green.

t.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913