circus

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Latin

Etymology

Likely borrowed from Ancient Greek κρίκος (kríkos), κίρκος (kírkos, “ring”),^[1]

from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to turn, bend”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈkir.kus/, [ˈkɪrkʊs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃir.kus/, [ˈt͡ʃirkus]

Noun

circus m (genitive circī); second declension

1. a circular line or orbit; circle, ring
2. a racecourse or space where games are held, especially one that is round
3. the spectators in a circus; a circus