Circus

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)kÉ™s

Origin

From Latin circus ("ring, circle"), from Proto-Indo-European *sker, *ker ("to turn, to bend")

A grammar of modern Indo-European, p. 398, 3rd paragraph

The American heritage dictionary of Indo-European roots, p. 78, entry for "(s)ker-3

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Full definition of circus

Noun

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. (historical) In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.
4. (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.
5. (obsolete) Circuit; space; enclosure.The narrow circus of my dungeon wall. — Byron.

Derived terms

Related terms

• circular
• circle