clown

a comic entertainer, usually grotesquely costumed and made up, appearing in the circus

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Clown

(1) In 16th-century English theater, the comical character of an awkward and unsophisticated rustic. These clowns usually told rude jokes that satirically mocked the aristocratic and the wealthy. In the 17th century clowns appeared only in pantomimes and balagan (circus-like) performances.

(2) A circus artist performing in comic scenes, which often accompany the entire program. In the modern circus there are comic clowns, including red clowns (wearing red wigs) and whiteface clowns; carpet clowns (who perform between acts); music clowns; clowns that train animals; and acrobatic clowns.

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References in periodicals archive

Pantaloon, and his titular manservant, Clown." (46)

While Clown was a stock harlequinade character played by countless

career, Grimaldi elevated the clown from a buffoonish servant to an

Grimaldi reimagined the visual appearance of the clown, largely creating

sixteenth century, the clown wore drab servant's attire or a long

whiteface clown. (52) In a literal sense, Grimaldi became synonymous

late eighteenth century, the clown found a new performance venue.

the circus and the circus clown had spread from London to Germany,

that a "clown will entertain the Ladies and Gentlemen between the

feats." (61) In 1793, a troupe of rope dancers advertised a clown

(65) And during the nineteenth century the clown emerged as the star of

the American circus, helping to establish the clown's continued

CLOWN EGGS

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