2. A barb, or barbs, of a fine large feather, as of a peacock or ostrich, — used in dressing artificial flies.
[Written also herl.]
Harle
(Harle) n. (Zoöl.) The red-breasted merganser.
Harlech group
(Har"lech group`) [So called from Harlech in Wales.] (Geol.) A minor subdivision at the
base of the Cambrian system in Wales.
Harlequin
(Har"le*quin) n. [F. arlequin, formerly written also harlequin 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 party-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.
As dumb harlequin is exhibited in our theaters.
Johnson. Harlequin bat (Zoöl.), an Indian bat curiously variegated with white spots. — Harlequin beetle (Zoöl.),
a very large South American beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) having very long legs and antennæ. The
elytra are curiously marked with red, black, and gray. — Harlequin cabbage bug. (Zoöl.) See Calicoback.
— Harlequin caterpillar. (Zoöl.), the larva of an American bombycid moth (Euchætes egle) which is
covered with black, white, yellow, and orange tufts of hair. — Harlequin duck (Zoöl.), a North American
duck The male is dark ash, curiously streaked with white. — Harlequin moth. (Zoöl.) See Magpie
Moth. — Harlequin opal. See Opal. — Harlequin snake (Zoöl.), a small, poisonous snake ringed
with red and black, found in the Southern United States.
Harlequin
(Har"le*quin) v. i. To play the droll; to make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.
Harlequin
(Har"le*quin), v. t. To remove or conjure away, as by a harlequin's trick.
And kitten, if the humor hit
Has harlequined away the fit.
M. Green. Harlequinade
(Har"le*quin*ade`) n. [F. arlequinade.] A play or part of a play in which the harlequin is
conspicuous; the part of a harlequin. Macaulay.
