Harlequin /(här"lē̇*kĭn or här"lē̇*kwĭn)/

Har·le·quin

Harlequin

n.
  1. A buffoon, dressed in parti-colored clothes, who plays tricks, often without speaking, to divert the bystanders or an audience; a merry-andrew; originally, a droll rogue of Italian comedy.
    As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters.

Phrases & Compounds
Harlequin bat
an Indian bat (Scotophilus ornatus), curiously variegated with white spots.
Harlequin beetle
a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antennae. The elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray.
Harlequin cabbage bug
See Calicoback.
Harlequin caterpillar
the larva of an American bombycid moth (Euchaetes egle) which is covered with black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair.
Harlequin duck
a North American duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). The male is dark ash, curiously streaked with white.
Harlequin moth
See Magpie Moth.
Harlequin opal
See Opal.
Harlequin snake
See harlequin snake in the vocabulary.

Harlequin

v. i.
  1. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.

Harlequin

v. t.
  1. To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.
    And kitten, if the humor hit Has harlequined away the fit.