Har″le‐quin (här″lē̍‐kĭn or –kwĭn), 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.] A buffoon, dressed in party-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. Percy Smith.
As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters. Johnson.
Harlequin bat(Zoöl.), an Indian bat (Scotophilus ornatus), curiously variegated with white spots. — Harlequin beetle(Zoöl.), a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antennæ. The elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray. — Harlequin cabbage bug. (Zoöl.) See Calicoback. — Harlequin caterpillar. (Zoöl.), the larva of an American bombycid moth (Euchætes egle) which is covered with black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair. — Harlequin duck(Zoöl.), a North American duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). The male is dark ash, curiously streaked with white. — Harlequin moth. (Zoöl.) See Magpie Moth. — Harlequin opal. See Opal. — Harlequin snake(Zoöl.), a small, poisonous snake (Elaps fulvius), ringed with red and black, found in the Southern United States.