\Har"le*quin\, 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.
      As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters.
                                               --Johnson.
{Harlequin bat} (Zo["o]l.), an Indian bat ({Scotophilus
   ornatus}), curiously variegated with white spots.
{Harlequin beetle} (Zo["o]l.), 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}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Calicoback}.
{Harlequin caterpillar}. (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), a North American duck
   ({Histrionicus histrionicus}). The male is dark ash,
   curiously streaked with white.
{Harlequin moth}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Magpie Moth}.
{Harlequin opal}. See {Opal}.
{Harlequin snake} (Zo["o]l.), a small, poisonous snake
   ({Elaps fulvius}), ringed with red and black, found in the
   Southern United States.

\Har"le*quin\, n. i.
To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.

\Har"le*quin\, v. t.
Toremove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.
      And kitten,if the humor hit Has harlequined away the
      fit.                                     --M. Green.