Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A spectacle; a noisy fuss; a chaotic and/or crowded place.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An undertaking or arrangement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: World War II
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Circuit; space; enclosure.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To take part in a circus; or to be displayed as if in a circus.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a performance given by a traveling company of acrobats, clowns, and trained animals
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: show
Narrower terms: three-ring circus
noun
a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: carnival
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: disturbance
noun
a genus of haws comprising the harriers
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: genus Circus
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: bird genus
noun
an arena consisting of an oval or circular area enclosed by tiers of seats and usually covered by a tent
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: arena, scene of action
noun
(antiquity) an open-air stadium for chariot races and gladiatorial games
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: stadium, bowl, arena, sports stadium
noun
a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: company, troupe
History
From Middle English circus, circo, from Latin circus (“ring, circle”), from Ancient Greek κρίκος (kríkos), κίρκος (kírkos, “ring”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to bend, turn”). Doublet of cirque. Cognate with Old English hring (whence English ring) and Old English hringsetl (“circus”, literally “ring-seat”).
Across languages
103 source translations are retained for this English entry.
