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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary cir·cus \\ˈsər-kəs\\ noun USAGE often attributive
ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Latin, circle, circus — more at circle
DATE 14th century
1. a. a large arena enclosed by tiers of seats on three or all four sides and used especially for sports or spectacles (as athletic contests, exhibitions of horsemanship, or in ancient times chariot racing) b. a public spectacle2. a. an arena often covered by a tent and used for variety shows usually including feats of physical skill, wild animal acts, and performances by clowns b. a circus performance c. the physical plant, livestock, and personnel of such a circus d. something suggestive of a circus (as in frenzied activity, sensationalism, theatricality, or razzle-dazzle) a media circus3. a. obsolete : circle , ring b. British : a usually circular area at an intersection of streets • cir·cusy \\-kə-sē\\ adjective
circus
late 14c., from L. circus "ring," applied by Romans to circular arenas for performances and contests (esp. the Circus Maximus), from or akin to Gk. kirkos "a circle," from PIE *kirk- from base *(s)ker- "to turn, bend." First attested use for "traveling show" is 1791.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 circuscir·cus / 5sE:kEs; NAmE 5sE:rkEs / noun1. [C] a group of entertainers, sometimes with trained animals, who perform skilful or amusing acts in a show that travels around to different places 马戏团2. the circus [sing.] a show performed by circus entertainers, usually in a large tent called a big top 马戏表演(常在大帐篷里进行): We took the children to the circus. 我们带孩子去看了马戏表演。 3. [sing.] ( informal, disapproving) a group of people or an event that attracts a lot of attention 引人注意的人(或事)；热闹场面: A media circus surrounded the royal couple wherever they went. 无论王室夫妇走到何处,他们的身后都会跟着一大群媒体记者。 the American electoral circus 美国选举的热闹场面 4. [C] (BrE) (used in some place names) a round open area in a town where several streets meet (用于某些地名)圆形广场,环形交叉路口: Piccadilly Circus 皮卡迪利广场 5. [C] (in ancient Rome 古罗马) a place like a big round outdoor theatre for public games, races, etc. 露天圆形竞技场
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged cir·cusI. \ˌsərkəs, -ə̄k-, -əik-\ noun( -es) Usage: often attributiveEtymology: Latin, circle, ring, circus (sense 1) — more at circle 1. a. : a large oblong or circular structure similar to an amphitheater and enclosed by tiers of seats on three or all four sides and used for athletic contests, exhibitions of horsemanship or in ancient times chariot racing and public especially gladiatorial spectacles — compare hippodrome , stadium b. : a spectacle presented in such an area or structure c. (1) : a spectacular public entertainment given usually in a large tent and made up of acts of physical skill (as horsemanship) and daring (as gymnastic and aerial acrobatics) and acts with trained wild animals (as lions, tigers, and elephants) interspersed with showing off elaborate and colorful costumes and trappings and with informally interjected comedy by clowns and often accompanied by menageries and sideshows held in separate tents featuring biological freaks, trick acts (as sword swallowing and fire eating), and rather crude girly shows (2) : the physical plant, livestock, and personnel of such a circus < the circus moved out of winter quarters in its special train > d. : an activity suggesting a circus < loudspeakers, parades, jazz records, rallies … made a circus of the noon hour — New Republic > e. slang : an especially lively or diverting entertainment < so funny it was a circus > < men in boats are having a circus with mackerel, yellowtails, barracuda, and dolphin — Ford Times >2. a. obsolete : circle , ring b. Britain : an especially circular area at an intersection of streets — often used in proper names < Piccadilly Circus > c. : cirque 3 3. : flying circus II. nounUsage: capitalized Etymology: New Latin, from Greek kirkos hawk — more at circaetus : a genus of hawks comprising the harriers — see marsh hawk III. intransitive verb( -ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: back-formation from circus movement: to exhibit circus movements after an injury
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