Category:Zany

Za"ny, n.; pl. Zanies. Etym: [it. zanni a buffoon, merry-andrew, Orig. same as giovanni john, i. e., merry john, l. Ioannes, gr. Yokhanan, prop., the lord graciously gave: cf. F. zani, fr. the Italian. Cf. Jenneting.]

Defn: a merry-andrew; a buffoon. Then write that i may follow, and so be thy echo, thy debtor, thy Foil, thy zany. Donne. Preacher at once, and zany of thy age. Pope.

Zany Za"ny, v. t.

Defn: to mimic. [obs.] Your part is acted; give me leave at distance to zany it. Massinger.