n. & v.
n. 1 a comic entertainer, esp. in a pantomime or circus, usu. with traditional costume and make-up. 2 a silly, foolish, or playful person. 3 archaic a rustic.
v. 1 intr. (often foll. by about, around) behave like a clown; act foolishly or playfully. 2 tr. perform (a part, an action, etc.) like a clown. clownery n. clownish adj. clownishly adv. clownishness n.
[ 16th c.: perh. of LG orig. ]