harlequinesque

American  

[hahr-luh-kwi-nesk, -ki-] / ˌhɑr lə kwɪˈnɛsk, -kɪ- /

adjective

1. in the manner of a harlequin.

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Etymology

Origin of harlequinesque

First recorded in 1880–85; harlequin + -esque

Example Sentences

The director, Alex Roe — who also appears, uncredited, as a Harlequinesque M.C. — has added a snappy prequel and an epilogue, which remind audiences that performers are employees, too.

From New York Times

When we had amused ourselves enough, at the commencement of our sessions, with the marvellous diatribes, wholly unexpected answers, and harlequinesque contortions of our Arcigranellone, we left him up there alone upon the chair of Bembo, and drew from our portfolios compositions in prose and verse, serious or facetious as the theme might be, but sensible, judicious, elegant in phrase, varied in style, and correct in diction.

From Project Gutenberg