subs. (old).—1. A dapperling; a dwarf; and (2) a simpleton: also JACK-O’-LENT.
1596. SHAKESPEARE, Merry Wives of Windsor, iii. 3. You little JACK-A-LENT, have you been true to us?
1596. NASHE, Have with You to Saffron-Walden, in Works [GROSART, 1882–3, 78]. For his stature he is such another pretie JACK-A-LENT.
1602. J. COOKE, How a Man may Choose a Good Wife from a Bad, ii., 3 [DODSLEY, Old Plays, 1874, ix. 41]. That JACK-A-LENT, that ghost, that shadow, that moon in the wane.
