HARLEQUIN, in modern comedy and pantomime, the pos turing and acrobatic character with masked face, shaven head, and attired in parti-coloured and spangled tights ; he is provided with a sword like a bat, or lath, with which he works wonders. The term is not now used in the special sense that characterized the original harlequin ; it is used in a more or less general way to signify a person who makes funny moves and cuts amusing capers —not unlike those of the clown (q.v.).