Sekirov Dictionary

circus

UK /ˈsɜːkəs/US /ˈsɝkəs/

noun 8
verb 1
forms 8
phrases 1

noun8

•
a company of performers and trained animals that moves from place to place, giving shows in a big tent
- The circus will be in town next week.
•
(figurative) A spectacle; a noisy fuss; a chaotic and/or crowded place.
- The village would be turned into a circus over this. He groaned, it was just the sort of case the media had a field day over. He had to get the whole thing sorted fast before anyone got wind of it. — 2009
•
A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.
- Oxford Circus in London is at the north end of Regent Street.
(historical) In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.
•
(slang, old-fashioned) An undertaking or arrangement.
- "Right you are; I'll put him wise," undertook Nickle briskly. "After all, it's entirely your circus. Shall we stay here and—" — 1934
•
(rare) A group of puffins.
- The circus of puffins were pictured by Alana Willox who was out on a walk at the Bullers of Buchan in Buchan, Aberdeenshire on Sunday. — 2022
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.
•
(no longer used) Circuit; space; enclosure.
- The narrow circus of my dungeon wall. — 1817

verb1

To take part in a circus; or to be displayed as if in a circus.

forms

circused · circussed · circusing · circussing · circuses · circusses · circi · circusses

Phrases with circus

three-ring circus
A large circus in which three separate performances, each within its own circular enclosure, are staged simultaneously before a single audience.

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