1. Plural of Punchinello; a stock character in Italian commedia dell'arte, typically a humpbacked clown or buffoon.
Usage: often capitalized; historical/theatrical
2. Plural of punchinello; a ridiculous or contemptible person; a buffoon.
Usage: informal; derogatory

Examples

• The commedia dell'arte troupe featured several punchinellos in their performance.
• The politicians were dismissed as mere punchinellos by the satirical press.
• In the old puppet shows, punchinellos would entertain audiences with slapstick humor.
• The carnival parade included costumed punchinellos who delighted the children.
• He felt like one of the punchinellos in a farce, constantly tripping over his own feet.