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Synonyms for harlequin

Grammar : Noun
Spell : hahr-luh-kwin, -kin
Phonetic Transcription : ˈhɑr lə kwɪn, -kɪn


Définition of harlequin

Origin :
  • 1580s, from Middle French harlequin, from Old French Herlequin, Hellequin, etc., leader of la maisnie Hellequin, a troop of demons who rode the night air on horses. He corresponds to Old English Herla cyning "King Herla," mythical character sometimes identified as Woden; possibly also the same as the German Erlkönig "Elf King" of the Goethe poem. Sometimes also associated with Herrequin, 9c. count of Boulogne, who was proverbially wicked. In English pantomime, a mute character who carries a magic wand. His Italian form, arlecchino, is one of the stock characters of commedia del'arte. From his ludicrous dress comes the English adjective meaning "particolored" (1779).
  • noun clown
Example sentences :
  • We will frankly own that we have been much troubled with the harlequin.
  • Extract from : « The Mudfog and Other Sketches » by Charles Dickens
  • She could not but laugh a little at Harlequin's undisguised discomfiture.
  • Extract from : « Nobody » by Louis Joseph Vance
  • The harlequin on the bank turned his little pug-nose up to me.
  • Extract from : « Heart of Darkness » by Joseph Conrad
  • Wise is a harlequin; we let him dance because he is good at it, and it amuses us.
  • Extract from : « Among the Pines » by James R. Gilmore
  • His dress was something between that of Harlequin and Scaramouch.
  • Extract from : « The Infernal Marriage » by Benjamin Disraeli
  • I can be harlequin, that only wants long legs and jumping about.
  • Extract from : « The Innocence of Father Brown » by G. K. Chesterton
  • "I wish you were the harlequin," she said, and left the string of sausages swinging.
  • Extract from : « The Innocence of Father Brown » by G. K. Chesterton
  • "Excuse me behaving like Harlequin in the pantomime, gentlemen," he said.
  • Extract from : « Ambrotox and Limping Dick » by Oliver Fleming
  • In short, below the waist their dress was that of a priest, and above it, that of a harlequin.
  • Extract from : « Holland, v. 1 (of 2) » by Edmondo de Amicis
  • We weighed, and with the Harlequin, were towed down the river at a rapid pace.
  • Extract from : « Borneo and the Indian Archipelago » by Frank S. Marryat

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019