buffoon

== English == === Etymology === From Middle French bouffon, from Italian buffone (“jester”), from buffare (“to puff out the cheeks”), of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Middle High German buffen ("to puff"; > German büffen), Old English pyffan (“to breathe out, blow with the mouth”). More at English puff. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /bəˈfuːn/ Rhymes: -uːn === Noun === buffoon (plural buffoons) One who performs in a silly or ridiculous fashion; a clown or fool. (derogatory) An unintentionally ridiculous person. ==== Usage notes ==== In the United States the term most commonly refers to inappropriate, clownish figures on the public stage; there the behavior of a variety of public figures have caused them to be referred to as buffoons by their political opponents. In the United Kingdom the term is used more broadly, to refer to such people who are retained in popular regard but who nevertheless engender amusement with their pronouncements and acts. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== → Czech: bafuňář ==== Translations ==== === Verb === buffoon (third-person singular simple present buffoons, present participle buffooning, simple past and past participle buffooned) To behave like a buffoon ==== Translations ====