harlequin

n. clown, fool, jester

Harlequin (Arlecchino in Italian) is the most popular of the zanni or comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell'Arte.Although illustrations of Arlecchino have only been dated as far back as 1572, the character had existed before then. The origins of the name are uncertain: some say it comes from Dante's Inferno, XXI, XXII and XXIII; one of the devils is called Alichino. Others say it could come from Harlenkoenig, a Scandinavian hero. Another hypothesis states that the name is derived from Harlay, an English gentleman of the court of Henri III, who had protected an Italian actor. Still another unproveable theory states that it came from Old High German Karalchin (little man), similar to the name Mannekin or Manneken.
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Harley Quinn (real name Dr. Harleen Quinzel) is a fictional character, a supervillain, in the animated series , later adapted into DC Comics' Batman comic books. As suggested by her name (a play on the word "harlequin"), she is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester. The character is a frequent accomplice of Batman's nemesis the Joker, and is also a close ally of supervillainess Poison Ivy.
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Harlequin /har·le·quin/ 1. having a pattern of diamond shapes, particularly in bright colors. 2. coral snake. harlequin 1. [more]Harlequin - Community and Resources

Noun
1. a clown or buffoon (after the Harlequin character in the commedia dell'arte)
(hypernym) clown, buffoon, merry andrew
Verb
1. variegate with spots or marks; "His face was harlequined with patches"
(hypernym) mottle, dapple, cloud

(v. t.)
Toremove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.
  

(n.)
A buffoon, dressed in party-colored clothes, who plays tricks, often without speaking, to divert the bystanders or an audience; a merry-andrew; originally, a droll rogue of Italian comedy.
  

(n. i.)
To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.