zanyhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zany_v%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezany, v.
Revised 2024

† zanyverb

Obsolete (archaic in later use).
  1. 1602–1894
    transitive. To imitate or mimic (a person or thing), esp. in a clumsy or absurd way; = ape v. 1. Cf. zany n. A.2b.
    1. 1602
      Who..Laughes them to scorne, as man doth busie Apes When they will zanie men.
      J. Marston, Antonios Reuenge iv. i. sig. G2
    2. a1640
      [He] takes his oath..that all excellence In other Madams doe but zany hers.
      J. Fletcher et al., Queene of Corinth i. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher, Comedies & Tragedies (1647) sig. Aaaaaa2v/1
    3. 1691
      Francisco's zanying the Person and Humour of Albano, is an incident in several Plays.
      G. Langbaine, Account of English Dramatic Poets 351
    4. 1894
      If the delicious original be beyond capture, why essay to zany it?
      H. Pease, Mark o' Deil Preface 7

zany, v. was revised in March 2024.

zany, v. was last modified in June 2024.