carnival
Definitions
A period of public festivity with parades, music and costumes, especially before Lent
狂欢节（尤指四旬斋前的庆典，有游行、音乐和化装）
A travelling funfair with rides, games and shows
（流动的）游乐场，嘉年华
A lively, riotous mixture or display of something
（喧闹缤纷的）盛会，大杂烩
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedMost likely from Italian carne (meat) + levāre (to remove, put away) = 'farewell to meat.' Carnival was the last burst of feasting and revelry before Lent, the long meatless Christian fast. Over time the meat was forgotten but the partying defined the word, so carnival now means any festival or funfair. The -val piece traces to lev- (to lift/remove), the same root behind 'lever' and 'levitate.'
Root carn still carries 13 more wordsWhy It Means This
Carnival is one of the great hidden-etymology words. Nobody hears 'meat' in it, yet the most accepted origin is carne-levāre, 'taking away meat' — the blowout before the privations of Lent. Think of Mardi Gras ('Fat Tuesday'), the day of indulgence right before Ash Wednesday: that is carnival's spirit. The religious fasting calendar faded from everyday awareness, but the human love of one last feast turned the word into a synonym for celebration itself.
Common Collocations
- 1.carnival season狂欢节季
- 2.carnival parade狂欢节游行
- 3.carnival atmosphere狂欢氛围
- 4.travelling carnival流动游乐场
Example Sentences
- 1.
Millions flood the streets of Rio for carnival every February.
- 2.
The kids begged to ride the Ferris wheel at the travelling carnival.
- 3.
Election night turned into a carnival of noise and flags outside the hall.