WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Cir"cus
Part of Speech : n.;
Etymology : [L. circus circle, ring, circus (in sense 1). See Circle, and cf. Cirque.]
Definition : 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.

pl. Circuses.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913