n.
Pronunciation: ' z ā -n ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural zanies
Etymology: Italian zanni, a traditional masked clown, from Italian dialect Zanni, nickname for Italian Giovanni John
Date: 1588
1 : a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal : MERRY-ANDREW
2 : a slavish follower : TOADY
3 a : one who acts the buffoon to amuse others b : NUT , KOOK