n. 1. often Carnival The period of merrymaking and feasting celebrated just before Lent. 2. A traveling amusement show usually including rides, games, and sideshows. 3. A festival or revel: winter carnival. [Italian carnevale, from Old Italian carnelevare, Shrovetide : carne, meat (from Latin carō, carn-; see sker-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + levare, to remove (from Latin levāre, to raise; see legwh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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