Circuses

Circuses
Circus Cir"cus, n.; pl. {Circuses}. [L. circus circle, ring, circus (in sense 1). See {Circle}, and cf. {Cirque}.] [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]

Note: The Circus Maximus at Rome could contain more than 100,000 spectators. --Harpers' Latin Dict. [1913 Webster]

2. A circular inclosure for the exhibition of feats of horsemanship, acrobatic displays, etc. Also, the company of performers, with their equipage. [1913 Webster]

3. Circuit; space; inclosure. [R.] [1913 Webster]

The narrow circus of my dungeon wall. --Byron. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • CIRCUSES AND THEATERS — In rabbinic literature circuses are generally classed with theaters (Shab. 150a). The rabbis looked down on them as symbols of a debased Greek and Roman culture, in contrast to the houses of learning and synagogues which symbolized Jewish culture …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • circuses — cir·cus || sɜːkÉ™s n. traveling show of animals and performers; square, intersection …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Bread and Circuses (Star Trek) — NOTOC ST episode name = Bread and Circuses From left to right: Spock, McCoy and Kirk in a Magna Roma prison cell. series = TOS ep num = 54 prod num = 043 remas. num = 33 date = March 15, 1968 writer = Gene Roddenberry and Gene L. Coon story by… …   Wikipedia

  • Bread and circuses (disambiguation) — Bread and circuses was how the Roman satirist Juvenal characterized the imperial leadership s way of placating the masses.Bread and circuses may also refer to:* Brot und Spiele (German for Bread and Circuses ), Germany s biggest Roman festival *… …   Wikipedia

  • Bread and Circuses (album) — Infobox Album Name = Bread Circuses Type = Album Artist = Colosseum Released = 1997 Recorded = April 1996 July 1997 Genre = Rock, Jazz Length = 50:04 Label = Producer = Steve Cahse, Jon Hiseman, Dave Clempson Reviews = Last album = Colosseum… …   Wikipedia

  • List of circuses and circus owners — There have been many famous Modern circuses since the first modern circus was staged by Philip Astley in London on January 9, 1768. Many of them are more well known by the name of their principal owner. The following is an alphabetical list of… …   Wikipedia

  • Bread and circuses — (or Bread and games) (from Latin: panem et circenses ) is an ancient Roman metaphor for people choosing food and fun over freedom. It often appears in commentary that accuses people of giving up their civic duty and following whichever political… …   Wikipedia

  • bread and circuses — Activites that entertain people and distract them from problems to keep them from complaining or protesting are bread and circuses …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • bread and circuses — noun plural Etymology: translation of Latin panis et circenses : food and entertainment offered by a government (as a dictatorship) to soothe discontent * * * something, as extravagant entertainment, offered as an expedient means of pacifying… …   Useful english dictionary

  • breadand circuses — bread and circuses pl.n. Offerings, such as benefits or entertainments, intended to placate discontent or distract attention from a policy or situation.   [Translation of Latin pānem et circēnsēs, a phrase coined by the Roman poet Juvenal : pānem …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”