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clown

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An archaic term for a rustic, boorish, or foolish person, not necessarily a stage performer; in poetry, it serves as a comic or satirical figure, representing lowly wit or the folly of everyday life.

Detailed Definition
Before its modern sense, clown often meant a country simpleton in poetry and drama. Poets used the term to evoke innocence, ignorance, or comic bluntness, frequently juxtaposed with courtly sophistication. This contrast allowed exploration of natural wisdom versus artificial manners, a recurring poetic theme.
Example
Example in poetry:
The clown speaks plain where courtiers veil their lies in silk; Rustic verse crowns the clown with truths too honest for the court; The clown’s rough jest unmasks the learned fraud; Poets set the clown as mirror to refined deceit
Additional Notes
Clown originally referred to rural labourers rather than entertainers. In poetry, this meaning allows poets to explore tensions between rustic honesty and urban sophistication. Some poets mock the clown’s ignorance, while others valorise plain speech and natural wisdom. Recognising this older sense is crucial when reading Renaissance or pastoral poetry, where clown may signal class rather than comedy.
Also Known As
Rustic Yokel Simpleton buffoon fool zany
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