harlequin

harlequin

1. Theatre a stock comic character originating in the commedia dell'arte; the foppish lover of Columbine in the English harlequinade. He is usually represented in diamond-patterned multicoloured tights, wearing a black mask
2. (of certain animals) having a white coat with irregular patches of black or other dark colour
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

harlequin

comic character in commedia dell’arte; dressed in multicolored tights in a diamond-shaped pattern. [Ital. Drama: NCE, 1194]
See: Clowns
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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