noun

1. the period of feasting and revelry just before Lent
2. 1. a reveling or time of revelry; festivity; merrymaking
   2. a time or place of excess, vitality, chaos, etc.
3. a traveling commercial entertainment with sideshows, rides, games, etc.
4. an organized program of festivities, contests, etc. a winter sports carnival

Etymology: < 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