ZANY

I. noun (plural zanies) Etymology: Italian zanni, a traditional masked clown, from Italian dialect Zanni, nickname for Italian Giovanni John Date: 1588 a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal ; merry-andrew , a slavish follower ; toady , 3. one who acts the buffoon to amuse others, nut , kook , II. adjective (zanier; -est) Date: 1609 being or having the characteristics of a ~, fantastically or absurdly ludicrous , zanily adverb zaniness noun