noun, verb — 8 senses
AU, UK /ˈsɜːkəs/ · CA, US /ˈsɝkəs/
Etymology From Middle English circus, circo, from Latin circus (“ring, circle”), from Ancient Greek κρίκος (kríkos), κίρκος (kírkos, “ring”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to bend, turn”). Doublet of cirque. Cognate with Old English hring (whence English ring) and Old English hringsetl (“circus”, literally “ring-seat”).
A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent.
A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.
Figuratively A spectacle; a noisy fuss; a chaotic and/or crowded place.
Historical In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.
Government, Military, Politics, War 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.
Obsolete Circuit; space; enclosure.
Etymology From Middle English circus, circo, from Latin circus (“ring, circle”), from Ancient Greek κρίκος (kríkos), κίρκος (kírkos, “ring”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to bend, turn”). Doublet of cirque. Cognate with Old English hring (whence English ring) and Old English hringsetl (“circus”, literally “ring-seat”).
To take part in a circus; or to be displayed as if in a circus.
Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.