Za″ny (?), n.; pl.Zanies (#). [It. zanni a buffoon, merry-andrew, orig. same as Giovanni John, i.e., merry John, L. Ioannes, Gr. �, Heb. Yōkhānān, prop., the Lord graciously gave: cf. F. zani, fr. the Italian. Cf. Jenneting.] A merry-andrew; a buffoon.
Then write that I may follow, and so be
Thy echo, thy debtor, thy foil, thy zany. Donne.
Preacher at once, and zany of thy age. Pope.