carnival
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (3)
- a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
- a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment“it was so funny it was a circus”“the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere”Synonyms: circus
- a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.Synonyms: fairfunfair
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Carnival \Car"ni*val\, n. [It. carnevale, prob. for older carnelevale, prop., the putting away of meat; fr. L. caro, carnis, flesh + levare to take away, lift up, fr. levis light.]
1.A festival celebrated with merriment and revelry in Roman Gatholic countries during the week before Lent, esp. at Rome and Naples, during a few days (three to ten) before Lent, ending with Shrove Tuesday. [1913 Webster]
The carnival at Venice is everywhere talked of.— Addison.[1913 Webster]
2.Any merrymaking, feasting, or masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
He saw the lean dogs beneath the wall Hold o'er the dead their carnival— Byron.[1913 Webster]