Buffoon vs Harlequin - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between buffoon and harlequin

is that buffoon is one who acts in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool while harlequin is a pantomime fool, typically dressed in checkered clothes.

As verbs the difference between buffoon and harlequin

is that buffoon is to behave like a buffoon while harlequin is to remove or conjure away, as if by a harlequin's trick.

As an adjective harlequin is

brightly coloured, especially in a pattern like that of a harlequin clown's clothes.

buffoon

English

Noun

(en noun)

One who acts in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool.

* Melmoth

To divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic dances.

(pejorative) An unintentionally ridiculous person.

Usage notes

* In the United States the term is used most commonly to describe inappropriate, clownish figures on the public stage; here the behavior of a variety of public figures have caused them to be described as buffoons by their political opponents. * In the UK the term is used more broadly, to describe such people who are held in popular regard but who nevertheless engender amusement with their pronouncements and acts.

Derived terms

* buffoonery

Verb

(en verb)

To behave like a

* {{quote-news, 1988, January 22, Henry Sheehan, Little Boy Blue, Chicago Reader citation

, passage=His mimicry of gay speech and facial expressions is analagous to an Amos 'n' Andy routine, in which white men buffooned their way through incredibly demeaning impersonations of black men.}}

harlequin

English

Noun

(en noun)

a pantomime fool, typically dressed in checkered clothes

* 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

... were certainly the worst and dullest company into which an audience was ever introduced; and (which was a secret known to few) were actually intended so to be, in order to contrast the comic part of the entertainment, and to display the tricks of harlequin to the better advantage.

A yellowish-green color.

Usage notes

* Because of its origin in the name of an Italian theatrical character, English Harlequin is often used as a proper name.

Adjective

(head)

brightly coloured, especially in a pattern like that of a harlequin clown's clothes

Of a yellowish-green

Derived terms

* harlequinade * harlequin bat * harlequin beetle * harlequin cabbage bug * harlequin caterpillar * harlequin duck * harlequin moth * harlequin opal * harlequin snake

Verb

(en verb)

To remove or conjure away, as if by a harlequin's trick.

* M. Green

And kitten, if the humour hit / Has harlequined away the fit.

To make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.