-clow-

n. [ See 3d Clove, and Gillyflower. ] Spice clove. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To act as a clown; -- with it. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Beshrew me, he clowns it properly indeed. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Icel. klunni a clumsy, boorish fellow, North Fries. klönne 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who works upon the soil; a rustic; a churl. [ 1913 Webster ]

The clown, the child of nature, without guile. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The fool or buffoon in a play, circus, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

The clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickle o'the sere. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Behavior or manners of a clown; clownery. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Clownishness. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. acting like a clown or buffoon.
Syn. -- buffoonery, frivolity, harlequinade, prank. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. a comic incident or series of incidents.
Syn. -- drollery, comedy, funniness. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Of or resembling a clown, or characteristic of a clown; ungainly; awkward. “Clownish hands.” Spenser. “Clownish mimic.” Prior.

-- Clown"ish*ly, adv.

Syn. -- Coarse; rough; clumsy; awkward; ungainly; rude; uncivil; ill-bred; boorish; rustic; untutored. [1913 Webster]