harlequin
/'hɑ:likwin/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A clown or buffoon: A character from traditional Italian comedy (commedia dell'arte), known for wearing a colorful, diamond-patterned costume and a mask, and for performing acrobatic, mischievous tricks.
- A type of duck: A sea duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) with strikingly variegated plumage in the male.
Verb:
- To variegate with spots or marks of different colors: To decorate or mark something with a pattern of bright, contrasting patches.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The harlequin leaped across the stage, making the audience laugh with his silent antics.
- We spotted a beautiful male harlequin diving in the coastal waters.
Verb:
- The artist harlequined the canvas with splashes of vibrant color.
- His face was harlequined with patches of paint for the festival.
Advanced Usage
- "Harlequin" as an adjective: Used to describe something with a multi-colored, patchy, or diamond-checkered pattern reminiscent of the character's costume.
- She wore a harlequin-patterned dress to the masquerade ball.
Variants and Related Words
- Harlequinade (n): A piece of performance or writing involving harlequins and other commedia dell'arte characters; buffoonery.
- The play descended into a chaotic harlequinade.
Synonyms
- Noun (character): clown, jester, fool, buffoon, zany.
- Verb: dapple, mottle, speckle, variegate, stipple.
Related Phrases
- "Harlequin romance": A term for a specific genre of short, formulaic romance novels, originally published with distinctive cover art.
- She spent the afternoon reading a lighthearted harlequin romance.
Related Idioms
- "To play the harlequin": To act the part of a clown or fool, often to amuse others or hide one's true feelings.
- At the party, he decided to play the harlequin to lighten the mood.
Noun
- a clown or buffoon (after the Harlequin character in the commedia dell'arte)
Verb
- variegate with spots or marks
- His face was harlequined with patches