zanni

See also: Zanni and Zänni

Italian

Arlecchino, celebre zanni — Harlequin, a famous zanni character

Etymology

From Zanni, from Venetian Zani, alteration of the given name Gianni, itself a hypocorism for Giovanni.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): ^*/ˈd͡zan.ni/
• Rhymes: -anni
• Hyphenation: zàn‧ni

Noun

zanni m (invariable)

1. (theater) a character type representing a servant who is either an astute trickster or a silly jester
2. (by antonomasia, rare) a zany person; fool, buffoon, clown

   Synonyms: buffone, pagliaccio

Derived terms

• zannata

Descendants

• English: zany

See also

• commedia dell'arte

Anagrams

• zinna