I. ˈzānē, -ni noun
( -es )
Etymology: Italian zanni — more at zanni
1.
a. : a subordinate fool, clown, acrobat, or mountebank who mimics ludicrously the tricks of his principal : an assistant to a mountebank (as in old comedies) : merry-andrew
b. : a usually professional clown or buffoon
2. : an assistant or lieutenant attendant upon another ; specifically : a slavish follower : toady — usually used contemptuously
3. obsolete : a wretched or ridiculous imitator : a feeble mimic
4. : one who makes a buffoon or laughingstock of himself to amuse others
5. : simpleton
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
archaic : to play the zany to : imitate in the manner of a zany
III. adjective
( -er/-est )
: being or having the characteristics of a zany : fantastically or irrationally ludicrous : mildly insane : crazy
a zany sense of humor — New York Herald Tribune Book Review