Clown (kloun), 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.

2. One who works upon the soil; a rustic; a churl.

The clown, the child of nature, without guile.
Cowper.

3. The fool or buffoon in a play, circus, etc.

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

Clown, v. i. To act as a clown; -- with it. [Obs.]

Beshrew me, he clowns it properly indeed.
B. Jonson.

• A performance artist who works in a circus and typically characterised/characterized by bright, oversized clothing, a red nose, face paint, and a brightly coloured/colored wig and who performs slapstick.
  
• A person who acts in a silly fashion.
  
• (modern mythology) A monster resembling a circus clown.
       In Stephen King's book It, and in the movie "Killer Klowns from Outer Space", clowns terrorize small towns.
  
• (also clown about (British) or clown around) To act in a silly fashion.
  
  French
• clown
  

German
• clown