clown Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a rude or vulgar fool
buffoon.
noun a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
goof; goofball; buffoon; merry andrew.
verb act as or like a clown
clown around; antic.

Cf. Icel. klunni a clumsy, boorish fellow, North Fries. klnne clown, dial. Sw. klunn log, Dan. klunt log block, and E. clump, n.

A man of coarse nature and manners; an awkward fellow; an illbred person; a boor. Sir P. Sidney.
One who works upon the soil; a rustic; a churl.
The clown, the child of nature, without guile. Cowper.
The fool or buffoon in a play, circus, etc.
The clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickle o'the sere. Shak.

To act as a clown; -- with it Obs.
Behrew me, he clowns it properly indeed. B. Jonson.