Shriner

[shrahy-ner]

noun

a member of a fraternal order (Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) that is an auxiliary of the Masonic order and is dedicated to good fellowship, health programs, charitable works, etc.

Origin of Shriner

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; shrine + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for shriner

Contemporary Examples of shriner

According to a quick Google search, a Shriner clown appears to be a clown who is also a member of the Shriners.
The Most Depressing Show on Earth: Amongst the Clowns of Newark
Lizzie Crocker
March 16, 2014

Historical Examples of shriner

Later it developed the janitor was a captain of police, also a Shriner.
Watch Yourself Go By
Al. G. Field
Mr. Shriner, the one of whom we expected least, suddenly turned up at a table alone.
Of All Things
Robert C. Benchley
Sister Shriner is boiling over with railing toward God's pure little ones.
Birth of a Reformation
Andrew Byers

Word Origin and History for shriner

Shriner

1882, a member of the Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (established 1872).