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Zanni

noun
Zan·​ni | \ ˈ(d)zänē\
plural Zanni or Zannis

Definition of Zanni

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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History and Etymology for Zanni

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

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