scaramouch

2 definitions found

scaramouch - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Scaramouch \Scar"a*mouch`\, n. [F. scaramouche, It. scaramuccio,
     scaramuccia, originally the name of a celebrated Italian
     comedian; cf. It. scaramuccia, scaramuccio, F. escarmouche,
     skirmish. Cf. Skirmish.]
     A personage in the old Italian comedy (derived from Spain)
     characterized by great boastfulness and poltroonery; hence, a
     person of like characteristics; a buffoon.
     [1913 Webster]

scaramouch - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Scaramouch
      n 1: a stock character in commedia dell'arte depicted as a
           boastful coward [syn: Scaramouch, Scaramouche]