circus English · revision 10673

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1380|origins=la circus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈsɜː.kəs/, US /ˈsɝː.kəs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|circus|t=ring, circular line]] (see [[circle]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) related to Greek kírkos, krikos, ring,^(Hoad 1986)^(AHD) perhaps from a root meaning “to turn, bend”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==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;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) 1546 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A circular arena with tiers of seats for horsemanship and acrobatics is from 1791,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the sense passed to the performing company and its show, hence a travelling circus (1838).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) The American Heritage note observes that the modern circus took its name, but fortunately not its programme, from the ancient games.^(AHD) A group of buildings in a ring, or a circular road, is from the early 18th century, as in Piccadilly Circus.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) A lively uproar is from 1869, at first American,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and in World War I a squadron of aircraft was a circus.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1380 – a Roman arena.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 18th century – a ring of buildings.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1791 – a circus arena.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1838 – a travelling circus.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1869 – an uproar.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1917 – a squadron of aircraft.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A travelling company of [[acrobat|alt=acrobats]], clowns and trained animals, or the show it gives.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An arena, often in a tent, for such shows.^(Collins 2023)

+ # In ancient Rome, an oval arena for chariot races and games.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(UK)'' A circular open space where streets meet: ''Piccadilly Circus''.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A noisy or chaotic scene.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[circusy]]

+ * [[bread and circuses]]

+ * [[three-ring circus]]

+ * [[flying circus]]

+ * [[Piccadilly Circus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[circular]]

+ * [[circle]]

+ * [[circuit]]

+ * [[search]]

+ * [[circa]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}