za|ny

za|ny «ZAY nee», noun, plural -nies, adjective, -ni|er, -ni|est.

–n.

1. a fool; simpleton.

2. a clown.

3. Archaic or Historical. an assistant or attendant to a clown, acrobat, etc., who imitates his master in a ludicrously awkward way.

–adj.

that is, or is characteristic of, a zany; clownish; foolish; idiotic.

╂[< French zani < Italian (Venetian) Zanni, variant of Giovanni John]