I. ˈklau̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps from Middle French coulon settler, from Latin colonus colonist, farmer — more at colony
1. : a husbandman or farmer : countryman , rustic
2. : a man of coarse nature and manners : a rude, ill-bred person : boor
thou art mated with a clown and the grossness of his nature will have weight to drag thee down — Alfred Tennyson
3.
a. : a fool, jester, or comedian in a play or other entertainment ; specifically : a comedy performer in a circus grotesquely made up and dressed
b. : one who frequently or habitually plays the buffoon or engages in comedy : joker
practical jokes by the office clown
4. : a dancer who performs ridiculous or satirical dances usually in disguise and often for magical or ritualistic purposes
Synonyms: see boor
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to act as a clown : play the clown : jest ridiculously
transitive verb
: to jest at or ridicule grotesquely : act out or perform in burlesque or farcical manner
the actor clowned his part splendidly