ˈ(d)zänē noun
( plural zanni or zannis )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Italian, from Italian dialect (Lombardy) Zanni, nickname from the name Italian Giovanni John, from Late Latin Joannes — more at john
1. : a madcap clown in masked comedy traditionally from Bergamo, Italy usually playing the part of a comic servant and indulging in acrobatic antics and tricks — compare pierrot
2. : a clown resembling Harlequin