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Trickster vs Harlequin - What's the difference?

trickster | harlequin |

As nouns the difference between trickster and harlequin

is that trickster is a mythological figure responsible for teaching others through the use of guile and treason while harlequin is a pantomime fool, typically dressed in checkered clothes.

As an adjective harlequin is

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

As a verb harlequin is

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

trickster

English

Alternative forms

* Trickster (especially in the sense of the mythological figure)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A mythological figure responsible for teaching others through the use of guile and treason.
  • One who performs a trick.
  • An impish or playful person.
  • A fraud (person who performs a trick for the purpose of unlawful gain).
  • See also

    * Loki * jester * prankster * gadfly

    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.