Scār'a-mouch', n.

(skār'a-mowch'), n. [Fr. scara-mouche, It. scaramuccio, scaramuccia, originally the name of a celebrated Italian comedian. Cf. It. scaramuccio, scaramuccia, Fr. escarmouche, Sp. & Pr. escaramuza, skirmish, It. scaramucciare, to skirmish, from schermire, to fence, O. H. Ger. skerman.] A personage in the old Italian comedy, derived from Spain, characterized by great boastfulness and poltroonery; a buffoon; hence, a person of like characteristics.