carnival
The definition of carnival is the time before Lent when people celebrate with parties and large meals.
(noun)An example of carnival is Mardi Gras.
A carnival is defined as a group of traveling performers, sideshow attractions and rides.
(noun)An example of a carnival is a traveling amusement park.
See carnival in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- the period of feasting and revelry just before Lent
- a reveling or time of revelry; festivity; merrymaking
- a time or place of excess, vitality, chaos, etc.
- a traveling commercial entertainment with sideshows, rides, games, etc.
- an organized program of festivities, contests, etc.: a winter sports carnival
Origin: < Fr carnaval (or It carnevale) < ML carnelevarium < *carnem levare, to remove meat (see harvest & lever); assoc. by folk etym. with ML carne vale, “Flesh, farewell!” < L caro, flesh + vale: see valediction
See carnival in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- often Carnival The period of merrymaking and feasting celebrated just before Lent.
- A traveling amusement show usually including rides, games, and sideshows.
- A festival or revel: winter carnival.
Origin:
Origin: Italian carnevale
Origin: , from Old Italian carnelevare, Shrovetide
Origin: : carne, meat (from Latin carō, carn-; see sker-1 in Indo-European roots)
Origin: + levare, to remove (from Latin levāre, to raise; see legwh- in Indo-European roots)
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