Circus

Definitions

1. A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent.
2. A taxonomic genus within the family Accipitridae – harriers
3. A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.
4. A spectacle; a noisy fuss; a chaotic and/or crowded place.
   figuratively
5. In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.
   historical
6. 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.
7. Circuit; space; enclosure.
   obsolete

Equivalents

Examples

“The circus will be in town next week.”

“Oxford Circus in London is at the north end⟳ of Regent Street.”

“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.”

“The narrow circus of my dungeon wall.”

CEFR level