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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



40 words match “BUFFOON”

BUFFOON a. 4 definitions
Characteristic of, or like, a buffoon. "Buffoon stories." Macaulay. To divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic dances. Melmoth.
BUFFOONERY n.
The arts and practices of a buffoon, as low jests, ridiculous pranks, vulgar tricks and postures. Nor that it will ever constitute a wit to conclude a tart piece of buffoonery with a "What makes you blush" Spectator.
BUFFOONISH a.
Like a buffoon; consisting in low jests or gestures. Blair.
BUFFOONISM n.
The practices of a buffoon; buffoonery.
BUFFOONLY a.
Low; vulgar. [R.] Apish tricks and buffoonly discourse. Goodman.
ANTIC n. 3 definitions
A buffoon or merry-andrew; one that practices odd gesticulations; the Fool of the old play.
BOMBASTRY n.
Swelling words without much meaning; bombastic language; fustian. Bombastry and buffoonery, by nature lofty and light, soar highest of all. Swift.
CLOWN n.
The fool or buffoon in a play, circus, etc. The clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickle o'the sere. Shak.
COURT n.
dress, the dress prescribed for appearance at the court of a sovereign. -- Court fool, a buffoon or jester, formerly kept by princes and nobles for their amusement. -- Court guide, a directory of the names and adresses of the nobility and gentry in a town. -- Court hand, the hand or manner of writing used in records…
DROLL n. 2 definitions
One whose practice it is to raise mirth by odd tricks; a jester; a buffoon; a merry-andrew. Prior.
DROLLERY n.
The quality of being droll; sportive tricks; buffoonery; droll stories; comical gestures or manners. The rich drollery of "She Stoops to Conquer." Macaulay.
FOOL n.
One who counterfeits folly; a professional jester or buffoon; a retainer formerly kept to make sport, dressed fantastically in motley, with ridiculous accouterments. Can they think me . . . their fool or jester Milton. April fool, Court fool, etc. See under April, Court, etc. -- Fool's cap, a cap or hood to which bell…
GOLIARD n.
A buffoon in the Middle Ages, who attended rich men's tables to make sport for the guests by ribald stories and songs.
GOLYARDEYS n.
A buffoon. See Gollard. [Obs.] Chaucer.
GROUNDLING n.
it of a theater, which formerly was on the ground, and without floor or benches. No comic buffoon to make the groundlings laugh. Coleridge.
HARLEQUIN 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. Percy Smith. As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters. Johnson. Harlequin bat (Zoöl.), an Indian bat (Scotophilus ornatus), c…
HARLOTRY n.
Ribaldry; buffoonery; a ribald story. [Obs.] Piers Plowman. Chaucer.
JACKPUDDING n.
A merry-andrew; a buffoon. Milton.
JAPER n.
A jester; a buffoon. [Obs.] Chaucer.
JAPERY n.
Jesting; buffoonery. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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