circus

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“
Collier always enjoyed the circus--the circus was the great place of enjoyment outside, perhaps, of his pulpit work.

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Definitions (20)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (7)

  1. noun A public entertainment consisting typically of a variety of performances by acrobats, clowns, and trained animals.
  2. noun A traveling company that performs such entertainments.
  3. noun A circular arena, surrounded by tiers of seats and often covered by a tent, in which such shows are performed.
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Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

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Examples (50)

  • The damage being done by this circus is almost worth skipping the special election that a Republican just might win. —  HolyCoast.com
  • We will really understand what a circus is all about. —  Major League Baseball
  • As I keep emphasising, the whole Obama circus is an exercise in mass mind control and it has been so successful because so many people live their lives in a permanent state of trance. —  AroundTheCapitol.com
  • Looks like the circus is a permanent part of the buttonbox household. —  Pandora's Button Box
  • So the circus is coming to town - the Terrell Owens circus, that is.
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Words tagged circus

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This word has been looked up 105 times.

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English, round arena, from Latin, circus, circle; see circle.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. = French cirque = Spanish Portuguese Italian circo = D. G. Swedish circus = Danish cirkus, from Latin circus, a circle, ring (in this sense commonly circulus: see circle), a circus (see def. 1), a racecourse, = Greek κρίκος, later κίρκος, a ring, a circle, also, after the L., a circus. Hence (from Latin circus) ult. English circ, circle, circum-, circulate, cirque, encircle, etc., and search, q. v.
 

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/ˈsərkəs/
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