Definition of "harlequins" [harlequins]

• Plural form of harlequin. (noun)

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• "HMS Harlequin dressed his boat crew up as harlequins, that is as clowns."
• "The troops of the Swabian Circle of the Empire, who were ridiculed as "harlequins" by the more martial Austrians, dispersed to their homes; and no sooner had Moreau entered Bavaria than the Bavarian contingent in its turn withdrew from the Archduke."
• ""harlequins" and "nose-bags," were won by the kindness of the great conqueror, who organised them under the hands of his own generals, and gave them the companionship of his own victorious legions."