Scaramouch

American  

[skar-uh-mouch, -moosh] / ˈskær əˌmaʊtʃ, -ˌmuʃ /

Or Scaramouche

noun

1. a stock character in commedia dell'arte and farce who is a cowardly braggart, easily beaten and frightened.

2. (lowercase) a rascal or scamp.

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Scaramouch British  

/ -ˌmuːtʃ, ˈskærəˌmaʊtʃ /

noun

1. a stock character who appears as a boastful coward in commedia dell'arte and farce

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Etymology

Origin of Scaramouch

First recorded in 1662; from French Scaramouche, from Italian Scaramuccia, proper noun use of scaramuccia “skirmish” (applied in jest); see origin at skirmish ( def. )

Example Sentences

Hurtling Trivellino fine, On a trill intent, Scaramouch to Columbine Gives the fan she lent.

From Enamels and Cameos and other Poems by Lee, Agnes

But I speak no Italian; only a few broken scraps, which I picked from Scaramouch and Harlequin at Paris.

From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06 by Scott, Walter, Sir

On his return to the metropolis the old humour broke out at the representation of the inimitable Scaramouch of the Italian theatre.

From Literary Character of Men of Genius Drawn from Their Own Feelings and Confessions by Disraeli, Isaac

The great foreign chemist, Professor Scaramouch, has the credit of the discovery.

From Loss and Gain The Story of a Convert by Newman, John Henry

Run, run, Scaramouch, my Master's conjuring for you like mad below, he calls up all his little Devils with horrid Names, his Microscope, his Horoscope, his Telescope, and all his Scopes.

From The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume III by Summers, Montague