... were certainly the worst and dullest company into which an audience was ever introduced; and (which was a secret known to few) were actually intended so to be, in order to contrast the comic part of the entertainment, and to display the tricks of harlequin to the better advantage.
Wikipedia foundation.
Harlequin — (Arlecchino in Italian, Arlequin in French) is the most popular of the zanni or comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell Arte . OriginsThere are these theories about the origin of the term Harlequin: * Via Italian Arlecchino from… … Wikipedia
Harlequin — Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), n. [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}.]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Harlequin — Har le*quin, v. t. To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin s trick. [1913 Webster] And kitten, if the humor hit Has harlequined away the fit. M. Green. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
harlequin — (n.) 1580s, from M.Fr. harlequin, from O.Fr. Herlequin, Hellequin, etc., leader of la maisnie Hellequin, a troop of demons who rode the night air on horses. He corresponds to O.E. Herla cyning King Herla, mythical character sometimes identified… … Etymology dictionary
harlequin — ► NOUN (Harlequin) ▪ a mute character in traditional pantomime, typically masked and dressed in a diamond patterned costume. ► ADJECTIVE ▪ in varied colours; variegated. ORIGIN French, from earlier Herlequin, the leader of a legendary troop of… … English terms dictionary
Harlequin — [här′li kwin, här′likin] n. [Fr harlequin, arlequin < OFr hierlekin, hellequin, demon: Fr sense & form infl. by It arlecchino < same OFr source] 1. a traditional comic character in pantomime, who wears a mask and spangled, diamond patterned … English World dictionary
Harlequin — Har le*quin (h[aum]r l[ e]*k[i^]n or kw[i^]n), v. i. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Harlequin — Film fantastique de Simon Wincer, avec Robert Powell, Carmen Dunca, David Hemmings. Pays: Australie Date de sortie: 1980 Technique: couleurs Durée: 1 h 36 Résumé Un inconnu pénètre dans la maison d un sénateur et redonne… … Dictionnaire mondial des Films
Harlequin F.C. — For the rugby league club, see Harlequins Rugby League. Harlequins Full name Harlequins Football Club Nickname(s) Quins Founded … Wikipedia
harlequin — harlequinism, n. /hahr leuh kwin, kin/, n. 1. (often cap.) a comic character in commedia dell arte and the harlequinade, usually masked, dressed in multicolored, diamond patterned tights, and carrying a wooden sword or magic wand. 2. a buffoon. 3 … Universalium
Harlequin — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Sur les autres projets Wikimedia : « Harlequin », sur le Wiktionnaire (dictionnaire universel) Harlequin, maison d édition spécialisée dans … Wikipédia en Français
