Scaramouch

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n Scaramouch a stock character in commedia dell'arte depicted as a boastful coward
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • n Scaramouch A personage in the old Italian comedy (derived from Spain) characterized by great boastfulness and poltroonery; hence, a person of like characteristics; a buffoon.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n Scaramouch A buffoon in Italian comedy and farce, a cowardly braggadocio who is beaten by Harlequin. The character is often adopted in masquerades, with a dress usually of black, and grotesquely ornamented.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Scaramouch skar′a-mowch a buffoon: a bragging, cowardly fellow.
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Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
F. scaramouche, It. scaramuccio, scaramuccia, originally the name of a celebrated Italian comedian; cf. It. scaramuccia, scaramuccio, F. escarmouche, skirmish. Cf. Skirmish
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
Fr.,—It. Scaramuccia, a famous Italian zany of the 17th century.

Usage

In literature:

Consider that you are not asking Scaramouche here whether he has put a patch in your breeches.
"Scaramouche" by Rafael Sabatini
There was also a very good harlequin, and as good a scaramouch.
"The Memoirs of the Louis XIV. and The Regency, Complete" by Elizabeth-Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orleans
Once I was an idle young scaramouch.
"Rhoda Fleming, Complete" by George Meredith
He wrote for 'Scaramouch' some little time, but they can stand it no more.
"Endymion" by Benjamin Disraeli
It is all painted red and white like Scaramouch's in the pantomime.
"The Virginians" by William Makepeace Thackeray
Punch, Scaramouch, and Pierrot are next met by the Doctor, who invites them into a banquet.
"A History of Pantomime" by R. J. Broadbent
I possess a little book of Scaramouches, &c. by Callot.
"Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3)" by Isaac Disraeli
Gondoliers can have pride: but there is no pride about a rampino, the old scaramouch who hooks the gondola at the steps.
"A Wanderer in Venice" by E.V. Lucas
His dress was something between that of Harlequin and Scaramouch.
"The Infernal Marriage" by Benjamin Disraeli
In Killigrew, whom Mrs. Behn is here following very closely, Scaramouche is the quack's servant and appears in this scene.
"The Works of Aphra Behn, Vol. I (of 6)" by Aphra Behn
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In news:

Dorothy was wary about lending money to her uncle, a scaramouch who never took responsibility for his actions.
wkqsfm.com
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Related words