The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pageant \Pag"eant\, a.
   Of the nature of a pageant; spectacular. "Pageant pomp."
   --Dryden.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pageant \Pag"eant\, v. t.
   To exhibit in show; to represent; to mimic. [R.] "He pageants
   us." --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pageant \Pag"eant\ (p[a^]j"ent or p[=a]"jent; 277), n. [OE.
   pagent, pagen, originally, a movable scaffold or stage,
   hence, what was exhibited on it, fr. LL. pagina, akin to
   pangere to fasten; cf. L. pagina page, leaf, slab,
   compaginare to join together, compages a joining together,
   structure. See Pact, Page of a book.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. A theatrical exhibition; a spectacle. "A pageant truly
      played." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            To see sad pageants of men's miseries. --Spenser.
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   2. An elaborate exhibition devised for the entertainmeut of a
      distinguished personage, or of the public; a show,
      spectacle, or display.
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            The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day! --Pope.
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            We love the man, the paltry pageant you. --Cowper.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pageant
    n 1: an elaborate representation of scenes from history etc;
         usually involves a parade with rich costumes [syn:
         pageant, pageantry]
    2: a rich and spectacular ceremony [syn: pageant, pageantry]