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.
Etymology: F f. earlier Herlequin leader of a legendary troup of demon horsemen