Main Entry: cir·cus

Pronunciation: \ˈsər-kəs\

Function: 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 spectacle
2 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 circus>
3 a obsolete : circle, ring b British : a usually circular area at an intersection of streets

— cir·cusy \-kə-sē\ adjective