A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1580-1592, 1652
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Zan(n)i, n. [e.m.E. zanie (Shakespeare), F. zani, It. zan(n)i.] A clown in the Commedia dell'arte; a buffoon. — 1580-92 James VI Lusus Reg. 8.
Zani ‘Gudein Sirs all, guid faith, I think [etc.]’ 1652 Urquhart Jewel 104.
They go … in the disguise of a Zanni or Pantaloon to ventilate their fopperies
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