Definitions for: Circus


[n] performance given by a traveling company of acrobats clowns and trained animals; "the children always love to go to the circus"
[n] a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a circus or carnival; "it was so funny it was a circus"; "the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere"
[n] a genus of haws comprising the harriers
[n] 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"
[n] (ancient Rome) an open-air stadium for chariot races and gladiatorial games
[n] a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals; "he ran away from home to join the circus"



Webster (1913) Definition: Cir"cus, n.; 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.

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.

Synonyms: carnival, genus Circus

See Also: Accipitridae, arena, big top, bird genus, bowl, Circus Aeruginosus, Circus cyaneus, Circus pygargus, circus tent, company, disturbance, family Accipitridae, harrier, hen harrier, marsh harrier, marsh hawk, Montagu's harrier, northern harrier, round top, scene of action, show, stadium, three-ring circus, top, troupe

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