— carnivalesque, carnivallike , adj.
/kahr"neuh veuhl/ , n.
1. a traveling amusement show, having sideshows, rides, etc.
2. any merrymaking, revelry, or festival, as a program of sports or entertainment: a winter carnival.
3. the season immediately preceding Lent, often observed with merrymaking; Shrovetide.
[ 1540-50; carnevale, OIt carnelevare taking meat away, equiv. to carne flesh ( carnem, acc. of caro ) + levare levare to lift ]
Syn. 2. fair, celebration, fete, holiday.