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Webster 1913 Edition

Circus

Cir′cus

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Circuses
(#)
.
[L.
circus
circle, ring, circus (in sense 1). See
Circle
, and cf.
Cirque
.]
1.
(Roman Antiq.)
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.
☞ 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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Circus

CIRCUS

, n.
1.
In antiquity, a round or oval edifice, used for the exhibition of games and shows to the people. The Roman circus was encompassed with porticos, and furnished with rows of seats, rising one above another for the accommodation of spectators. The Circus Maximus was nearly a mile in circumference.
2.
The open area, or space inclosed, in which were exhibited games and shows; as wrestling, fighting with swords, staves or pikes, running or racing, dancing, quoits, &c.
3.
In modern times, a circular inclosure for the exhibition of feats of horsemanship.

Definition 2024

Circus

Circus

See also: circus

Translingual

Proper noun

Circus m

  1. A taxonomic genus within the family Accipitridae – the harriers.

Hypernyms

Hyponyms

References

  • Gill, F. and Wright, M. (2006) Birds of the World: Recommended English Names, Princeton University Press, ISBN 978-0691128276

circus

circus

See also: Circus

English

Noun

circus ‎(plural circuses)

  1. A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent.
    The circus will be in town next week.
  2. A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.
    Oxford Circus in London is at the north end of Regent Street.
  3. (figuratively) A spectacle; a noisy fuss.
    • 2009, Christine Brooks, A Quiet Village (page 81)
      The village would be turned into a circus over this. He groaned, it was just the sort of case the media had a field day over. He had to get the whole thing sorted fast before anyone got wind of it.
  4. (historical) In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.
  5. (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.
    • RAF Web - Air of Authority
      ... the squadron (No. 452) moved to Kenley in July 1941 and took part in the usual round of Circus, Rhubarb and Ramrod missions.
  6. (obsolete) Circuit; space; enclosure.
    • Byron
      The narrow circus of my dungeon wall.

Derived terms

Coordinate terms

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. ↑ A grammar of modern Indo-European, p. 398, 3rd paragraph
  2. ↑ The American heritage dictionary of Indo-European roots, p. 78, entry for "(s)ker-3

Latin

Etymology

From Ancient Greek κίρκος ‎(kírkos, “circle, ring”), related with κρίκος ‎(kríkos, “ring”).

Pronunciation

  • (Classical) IPA(key): /ˈkir.kus/, [ˈkɪr.kʊs]

Noun

circus m ‎(genitive circī); second declension

  1. a circular line or orbit; circle, ring
  2. a racecourse or space where games are held, especially one that is round
  3. the spectators in a circus; a circus

Inflection

Second declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative circus circī
genitive circī circōrum
dative circō circīs
accusative circum circōs
ablative circō circīs
vocative circe circī

Derived terms

Descendants

References

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin circus ‎(“circle, ring”), from the circling movements in flight of pairs during courtship.

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