noun
harlequin
HAH-lihk-wihn
noun
1
A comic pantomime character traditionally dressed in a diamond-patterned, multicoloured costume.
"The circus clown's costume was modelled on a classic harlequin."
adj
1
Brightly coloured in an irregular, patchwork pattern, like a harlequin's costume.
"The quilt had a harlequin pattern of red, blue, and yellow diamonds."
How to Use Harlequin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the classic diamond-patterned clown character, or an adjective describing bright, multicoloured patchwork patterns.
Common pairings
harlequin pattern
harlequin costume
harlequin duck
Word Forms
harlequined past tense, harlequins plural, harlequins singular
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Etymology
From the stock character Harlequin in Italian commedia dell'arte, whose name traces back through French to an older, obscure figure once linked to a legendary demon or spirit.