harlequin

[Fr. arlequin, harlequin; Ital. arlecchino. Skeat refers the French word to Low Lat. harlequin us, O. Fr. hierlekin or hellequin = Mid. Eng. Hurlewaynes kynne, Hurlewaynes meyne Hurlewayne's troop or kin; Hurlewain being a demon mentioned in Richard the Redeles, . The change from hellekin to harlequin arose from a popular etymology which connected the word with Charles Quint (Charles V.). See Max Müller: Lectures, ii. 581.] The leading character in a pantomime or harlequinade, dre ed in a mask, part i colored and spangled clothes, and having a magic wand; a buffoon; a droll. harlequin-bat, s. Zool .: Scotophil us ornatus , an Indian cheiropter, remarkable for its coloring, pale tawny-brown, variegated with white spots.