ˈhɑ:lɪkwɪn n. & adj. --n. 1 (Harlequin) a a
mute character in
pantomime, usu.
masked and dressed in a diamond-patterned
costume. b
hist. a
stock comic character in
Italian commedia dell' arte. 2 (in full harlequin duck) an
Icelandic duck, Histrionicus histrionicus,
with variegated
plumage. --adj. in
varied colours; variegated. [F f. earlier Herlequin
leader of a
legendary troup of
demon horsemen]