Acrocinus longimanus
(gcide) | Harlequin \Har"le*quin\ (h[aum]r"l[-e]*k[i^]n or -kw[i^]n), n.
[F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It,
arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf,
which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell.
Cf. Hell, Kin.]
A buffoon, dressed in party-colored clothes, who plays
tricks, often without speaking, to divert the bystanders or
an audience; a merry-andrew; originally, a droll rogue of
Italian comedy. --Percy Smith.
[1913 Webster]
As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters.
--Johnson.
[1913 Webster]
Harlequin bat (Zool.), an Indian bat ({Scotophilus
ornatus}), curiously variegated with white spots.
Harlequin beetle (Zool.), a very large South American
beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and
antenn[ae]. The elytra are curiously marked with red,
black, and gray.
Harlequin cabbage bug. (Zool.) See Calicoback.
Harlequin caterpillar. (Zool.), the larva of an American
bombycid moth (Euch[ae]tes egle) which is covered with
black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair.
Harlequin duck (Zool.), a North American duck
(Histrionicus histrionicus). The male is dark ash,
curiously streaked with white.
Harlequin moth. (Zool.) See Magpie Moth.
Harlequin opal. See Opal.
Harlequin snake (Zool.), See harlequin snake in the
vocabulary.
[1913 Webster] |