— pageanteer , n. — pageantic /peuh jan"tik/ , adj.
/paj"euhnt/ , n.
1. an elaborate public spectacle illustrative of the history of a place, institution, or the like, often given in dramatic form or as a procession of colorful floats.
2. a costumed procession, masque, allegorical tableau, or the like forming part of public or social festivities.
3. a show or exhibition, esp. one consisting of a succession of participants or events: a beauty pageant.
4. something comparable to a procession in colorful variety, splendor, or grandeur: the pageant of Renaissance history.
5. a pretentious display or show that conceals a lack of real importance or meaning.
6. (in medieval times) a platform or stage, usually moving on wheels, on which scenes from mystery plays were presented.
7. display or pageantry.
8. Obs. a stage bearing any kind of spectacle.
[ 1350-1400; ME pagyn, pagaunt, pagand pagina a stage for plays, scene, platform, perh. special use of L pagina PAGE 1 ]