Category:Circus

Cir"cus, n.; pl. Circuses. Etym: [L. circus circle, ring, circus (in sense 1). See Circle, and cf. Cirque.]

1. (Roman Antiq.)

Defn: A level oblong space surrounded on three sides by seats of wood, earth, or stone, rising in tiers one above another, and divided lengthwise through the middle by a barrier around which the track or course was laid out. It was used for chariot races, games, and public shows.

Note: The Circus Maximus at Rome could contain more than 100,000 spectators. Harpers' Latin Dict.

2. A circular inclosure for the exhibition of feats of horsemanship, acrobatic displays, etc. Also, the company of performers, with their equipage.

3. Circuit; space; inclosure. [R.] The narrow circus of my dungeon wall. Byron.