Main Entry:

¹za·ny

Pronunciation:

\ˈzā-nē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural zanies

Etymology:

Italian zanni, a traditional masked clown, from Italian dialect Zanni, nickname for Italian Giovanni John

Date:

1588

1: a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal : merry-andrew2: a slavish follower : toady3 a: one who acts the buffoon to amuse others b: nut, kook