circus

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /ˈsɜː.kəs/, US /ˈsɝː.kəs/^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin circus (“ring, circular line”) (see circle),^[2][3][4] related to Ancient Greek κίρκος (kírkos), krikos, ring,^[4][5] perhaps from a root meaning “to turn, bend”.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The large oblong or oval arena of ancient Rome used for races and shows: about 1380, in Chaucer's Boethius, probably in reference to the Circus Maximus;^[2][3] 1546 in the OED.^[6]

Semantic evolution

A circular arena with tiers of seats for horsemanship and acrobatics is from 1791,^[2][3][6] and the sense passed to the performing company and its show, hence a travelling circus (1838).^[3][7] The American Heritage note observes that the modern circus took its name, but fortunately not its programme, from the ancient games.^[5] A group of buildings in a ring, or a circular road, is from the early 18th century, as in Piccadilly Circus.^[3][4] A lively uproar is from 1869, at first American,^[3][6] and in World War I a squadron of aircraft was a circus.^[3][6]

Timeline

• c. 1380 – a Roman arena.^[2]
• early 18th century – a ring of buildings.^[3]
• 1791 – a circus arena.^[2][6]
• 1838 – a travelling circus.^[3]
• 1869 – an uproar.^[3][6]
• 1917 – a squadron of aircraft.^[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A travelling company of acrobats, clowns and trained animals, or the show it gives.
2. An arena, often in a tent, for such shows.
3. In ancient Rome, an oval arena for chariot races and games.
4. (UK) A circular open space where streets meet: Piccadilly Circus.
5. (informal) A noisy or chaotic scene.

Word family

• circusy
• bread and circuses
• three-ring circus
• flying circus
• Piccadilly Circus

Related words

• circular
• circle
• circuit
• search
• circa

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
6. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press