klaun n. & v. --n. 1 a
comic entertainer,
esp. in a
pantomime or
circus, usu.
with traditional costume and make-up. 2 a
silly,
foolish, or
playful person. 3
archaic a
rustic. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by
about, around)
behave like a clown;
act foolishly or playfully. 2 tr.
perform (a
part, an
action, etc.) like a clown. øøclownery n. clownish adj. clownishly adv. clownishness n. [16th
c.: perh. of LG orig.]