zanni

See also: Zanni

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): /ˈd͡zanni/, [ˈd̪͡z̪än̺n̺i]
• Hyphenation: zàn‧ni

Noun

zanni m (uncountable)

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

   Synonyms: buffone, pagliaccio

Derived terms

• zannata

Descendants

• English: zany

See also

• commedia dell'arte

Anagrams

• zinna