/'sɜ:kəs; `sɝkəs/
n
1 (a) [CGp] travelling company of entertainers, including acrobats, riders, clowns and performing animals 马戏团.
(b) the circus [sing] public performance given by such a company, usu in a large tent 马戏表演（通常在大帐篷中）
*go to the circus 看马戏表演.
2 [C] (infml 口) scene of lively action 热闹的场面.
3 [C] (Brit) (in place-names 用于地名) open space in a town where several streets meet （城市中数条街道相会聚的）广场
*Piccadilly Circus 皮卡迪利广场. Cf 参看 roundabout n 2.
4 [C] (in ancient Rome) round or oval arena for chariot racing and public games （古罗马）（圆形或椭圆形的）竞技场.

n
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin;Origin:'circle, circus', perhaps from Greek kirkos 'ring']
[C]
a group of people and animals who travel to different places performing skilful tricks as entertainment
circus act
(=a trick performed in a circus)
circus ring
(=a large circular area where tricks are performed)
[singular]informal
a situation in which there is too much excitement or noise
　The first day of school is always such a circus.
　The trial has turned into a media circus .
[C usually singular]BrE
a round open area where several streets join together, often used in place names
　Piccadilly Circus
[C]
a place in ancient Rome where fights, races etc took place, with seats built in a circle