“His mighty mouth was like a furnace door./A wrangler and
buffoon, he had a store/Of tavern stories, filthy in the main.”
Which of these is nearest in meaning to the word buffoon, as it
is used in the passage above?
(1 point)
swindler
reaper
buckaroo
joker
joker
The word "buffoon" refers to someone who is a clown or a joker, often behaving in a foolish or comical manner. Therefore, the word "joker" is the option nearest in meaning to "buffoon" in the passage above.
To determine the meaning of the word "buffoon" as used in the passage, we need to understand its context. The passage describes someone with a "mighty mouth" who tells tavern stories that are mainly filthy. From this description, we can infer that "buffoon" refers to a person who is foolish, clownish, or tends to engage in comedic or silly behavior.
Out of the given options, the word "joker" fits closest in meaning to "buffoon." A joker is someone who tells jokes, often with the intention of entertaining or amusing others. This aligns with the description of the person in the passage, who is described as having a "mighty mouth" and as being a wrangler, suggesting they engage in comical or foolish behavior.
Therefore, the correct answer is "joker."