n. [ Cf. OHG. harluf noose, rope; E. hards refuse of flax. ] 1. A filamentous substance; especially, the filaments of flax or hemp. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A barb, or barbs, of a fine large feather, as of a peacock or ostrich, -- used in dressing artificial flies. [ Written also herl. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The red-breasted merganser. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ So called from Harlech in Wales. ] (Geol.) A minor subdivision at the base of the Cambrian system in Wales. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick. [ 1913 Webster ]

And kitten, if the humor hit
Has harlequined away the fit. M. Green. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin (cf. It, arlecchino), prob. fr. OF. hierlekin, hellequin, goblin, elf, which is prob. of German or Dutch origin; cf. D. hel hell. Cf. Hell, Kin. ] A buffoon, dressed in parti-colored clothes, who plays tricks, often without speaking, to divert the bystanders or an audience; a merry-andrew; originally, a droll rogue of Italian comedy. Percy Smith. [ 1913 Webster ]

As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Harlequin bat (Zool.), an Indian bat (Scotophilus ornatus), curiously variegated with white spots. --
Harlequin beetle (Zool.), a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antennae. The elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray. --
Harlequin cabbage bug. (Zool.) See Calicoback. --
Harlequin caterpillar. (Zool.), the larva of an American bombycid moth (Euchaetes egle) which is covered with black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair. --
Harlequin duck (Zool.), a North American duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). The male is dark ash, curiously streaked with white. --
Harlequin moth. (Zool.) See Magpie Moth. --
Harlequin opal. See Opal. --
Harlequin snake (Zool.), See harlequin snake in the vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. arleguinade. ] A play or part of a play in which the harlequin is conspicuous; the part of a harlequin. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. any of several venomous New World snakes brilliantly banded in red and black and either yellow or white, especially the eastern coral snake, a small poisonous snake (Micrurus fulvius or Elaps fulvius), ringed with red and black, found in the Southeastern United States. They are widely distributed in Southern and Central America;
Syn. -- coral snake, New World coral snake. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Probably a corruption either of charlock or hardock. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To play the harlot; to practice lewdness. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]