Za"ny (?), n.; pl. Zanies (#). [It. zanni a buffoon, merry-andrew, orig. same as Giovanni John, i. e., merry John, L. Ioannes, Gr. , Heb. Yokhanan, prop., the Lord graciously gave: cf. F. zani, fr. the Italian. Cf. Jenneting.]
A merry-andrew; a buffoon.
Then write that I may follow, and so be
Thy echo, thy debtor, thy foil, thy zany.
Donne.
Preacher at once, and zany of thy age.
Pope.
© Webster 1913.
Za"ny (?), v. t.
To mimic.
[Obs.]
Your part is acted; give me leave at distance
To zany it.
Massinger.
© Webster 1913.