From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
clown
n 1: a rude or vulgar fool [syn: buffoon]
2: a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior [syn:
buffoon, merry andrew]
v : act as or like a clown [syn: clown around, antic]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Clown \Clown\ (kloun), n. [Cf. Icel. klunni a clumsy, boorish
fellow, North Fries. kl["o]nne clown, dial. Sw. klunn log,
Dan. klunt log, block, and E. clump, n.]
1. A man of coarse nature and manners; an awkward fellow; an
ill-bred person; a boor. --Sir P. Sidney.
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2. One who works upon the soil; a rustic; a churl.
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The clown, the child of nature, without guile.
--Cowper.
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3. The fool or buffoon in a play, circus, etc.
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The clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are
tickle o'the sere. --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Clown \Clown\, v. i.
To act as a clown; -- with it. [Obs.]
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Beshrew me, he clowns it properly indeed. --B. Jonson.
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