[see -SHIP.] The condition or estate of a clown or clowns (in all senses); also as a mock title.
1606. R. Pricket, Faith Without Practice, in Farr’s, S. P. Jas. I. (1848), 101. A sattin sute … Beyond desert doth vildest clownship grace.
1635. Brome, Sparagus G., IV. v. Your Clowneship must not Uncle me.
1680. State & Interest of the Nation, Dk. York, 8. To aspire from our present Glorious State of King-ship to a Free-state in Clown-ship.
a. 1845. Hood, To Grimaldi, ii. Hast thou … all thy public Clownship cast, To play the private Pantaloon.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., X. 782. The courtier tries his hand on clownship here.
