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Zanni

noun Zan·ni \ ˈ(d)zänē \

Definition of Zanni

plural Zanni or Zannis
1 :a madcap clown in masked comedy traditionally from Bergamo, Italy usually playing the part of a comic servant and indulging in acrobatic antics and tricks — compare pierrot
2 :a clown resembling Harlequin

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Origin and Etymology of zanni

Italian, from Italian dialect (Lombardy) Zanni, nickname from the name Italian Giovanni John, from Late Latin Joannes

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