A
traditional comic character in
pantomime and
Commedia dell'arte, originally in the late 1600s. Harlequin wears a
black mask and
brightly-
colored,
diamond-patterned
tights. Sometimes, Harlequin carries a
wooden wand or
sword. The standard Harlequin is often a
street performer, doing
tricks,
stunts, and
gags for a crowd of people in public.
Also, any
clown. Well, not
any clown. Not
Bozo, fer instance.