Meaning of carnival in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈkɑrnəvəl/

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  1. Noun

    carnival

    Etymology

    mid 16th century: from Italian carnevale, carnovale, from medieval Latin carnelevamen, carnelevarium‘Shrovetide’, from Latin caro, carn-‘flesh’ + levare‘put away’

    Definitions

    1. a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
  2. 2. a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a circus or carnival

    Examples

    • « it was so funny it was a circus »
    • « the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere »
  3. 3. a traveling show

    Examples

    • « having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc. »

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