I. ˈtämˈfūl noun
Etymology: Middle English Thome Fole, name given to half-wits, from Thome (nickname for Thomas ) + fol, fole fool
1. usually capitalized : a buffoon in a play or pageant : a professional clown
2. : one lacking in sense or good judgment : a great fool : blockhead
if any tomfool points a gun at you — L.S.Marceau
3.
a. : rainbird b
b. : a West Indian flycatcher ( Myiarchus stolidus )
II. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective
: extremely foolish, stupid, or doltish ; also : of, from, or characteristic of a tomfool
don't know what tomfool caper you're up to — C.B.Kelland
III. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ intransitive verb
: to act the tomfool
this tomfooling is no sort of use — G.B.Shaw