Hypertext Webster Gateway: "clown"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Clown \Clown\ (kloun), n. [Cf. Icel. klunni a clumsy, boorish
fellow, North Fries. kl["o]nne clown, dial. Sw. klunn log,
Dan. klunt log, block, and E. clump, n.]
1. A man of coarse nature and manners; an awkward fellow; an
ill-bred person; a boor. --Sir P. Sidney.
2. One who works upon the soil; a rustic; a churl.
The clown, the child of nature, without guile.
--Cowper.
3. The fool or buffoon in a play, circus, etc.
The clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are
tickle o'the sere. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Clown \Clown\, v. i.
To act as a clown; -- with it. [Obs.]
Beshrew me, he clowns it properly indeed. --B. Jonson.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
clown
n 1: a rude or vulgar fool [syn: {buffoon}]
2: a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior [syn: {buffoon},
{merry andrew}]
v : act as or like a clown [syn: {clown around}, {antic}]
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