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punchinello

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noun pun·chi·nel·lo \ˌpən-chə-ˈne-(ˌ)lō\

Definition of punchinello

1 capitalized : a fat short humpbacked clown or buffoon in Italian puppet shows
2 plural punchinellos : a squat grotesque person

Illustration of punchinello

Origin and Etymology of punchinello

modification of Italian dialect polecenella

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First Known Use: 1662

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