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Noun: carnival  kaa(r)-nu-vul
  1. A festival marked by merrymaking and processions
    "The Rio Carnival is famous for its colourful parades and samba dancing"
     
  2. [N. Amer] A travelling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
    "The carnivals set up their attractions in the fairground";
    - fair, funfair [Brit], carnie [N. Amer, informal], carny [N. Amer, informal]
     
  3. A frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment
    "the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere";
    - circus

Derived forms: carnivals

Type of: disturbance, festival, fete, fête, show

Encyclopedia: Carnival, Angel and Dust