CIRCUS

circus

(noun) a performance given by a traveling company of acrobats, clowns, and trained animals; “the children always love to go to the circus”

circus, carnival

(noun) a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment; “it was so funny it was a circus”; “the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere”

Circus, genus Circus

(noun) a genus of haws comprising the harriers

circus

(noun) an arena consisting of an oval or circular area enclosed by tiers of seats and usually covered by a tent; “they used the elephants to help put up the circus”

circus

(noun) (antiquity) an open-air stadium for chariot races and gladiatorial games

circus

(noun) a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals; “he ran away from home to join the circus”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

circus (plural circuses or circusses or circi)

A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent. [from late 18th c.]

A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.

(figurative) A spectacle; a noisy fuss; a chaotic and/or crowded place.

(historical) In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.

(military, World War II) A code name for bomber attacks with fighter escorts in the day time. The attacks were against short-range targets with the intention of occupying enemy fighters and keeping their fighter units in the area concerned.

(obsolete) Circuit; space; enclosure.

Coordinate terms

• (open space): concourse

Verb

circus (third-person singular simple present circusses or circuses, present participle circussing or circusing, simple past and past participle circussed or circused)

To take part in a circus; or to be displayed as if in a circus

Anagrams

• Curcis, Ruccis

Source: Wiktionary

Cir"cus, n.; pl. Circuses. Etym: [L. circus circle, ring, circus (in sense 1). See Circle, and cf. Cirque.]

1. (Roman Antiq.)

Definition: A level oblong space surrounded on three sides by seats of wood, earth, or stone, rising in tiers one above another, and divided lengthwise through the middle by a barrier around which the track or course was laid out. It was used for chariot races, games, and public shows.

Note: The Circus Maximus at Rome could contain more than 100,000 spectators. Harpers' Latin Dict.

2. A circular inclosure for the exhibition of feats of horsemanship, acrobatic displays, etc. Also, the company of performers, with their equipage.

3. Circuit; space; inclosure. [R.] The narrow circus of my dungeon wall. Byron.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition