■ noun
1》 an annual period of public revelry involving processions, music, dancing, etc.
2》 N. Amer. a travelling funfair or circus.
Derivatives
~esque adjective
Origin
C16: from Ital. carnevale , carnovale , from med. L. carnelevamen , carnelevarium 'Shrovetide', from L. caro , carn- 'flesh' + levare 'put away'.