Category:Scaramouch

Scar"a*mouch`, n. Etym: [f. scaramouche, it.scaramuccio, scaramuccia, Originally the name of a celebrated italian comedian; cf. It. Scaramuccia, scaramuccio, f. escarmouche, skirmish. Cf. Skirmish.]

Defn: a personage in the old italian comedy (derived from spain) Characterized by great boastfulness and poltroonery; hence, a person Of like characteristics; a buffoon.