at Rome and Naples, during a few days (three to ten) before Lent, ending with Shrove Tuesday
a festive occasion marked by parades and sometimes special foods and other entertainment
The season immediately preceding Lent; shrove-tide Ducange gives the word carne-levale (Modern Italian, carnovále; Spanish and French, carnaval ) Italis, carnevale, carnovale, carnaval Quidam scriptores Itali carne-vale dictum putant, quasi carne vale (good-by meat); sed id etymon non probat Octav Ferrarius Cangius appellasse Gallos existimat, carn-a-val, quod sonat caro abscedit [We are referred to a charter, dated 1195, in which occurs the word carne-lcvamen, and a quotation is given in which occurs the phrase in carnis levamen ] - Ducange, vol ii p 222
A festival celebrated with merriment and revelry in Roman Gatholic countries during the week before Lent, esp
Any merrymaking, feasting, or masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess
a parade group masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess
Carnival is the festival which takes place just before the beginning of the Christian Lenten season The last day of the festival, Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday (Lent begins the following day, Ash Wednesday), is well-known It is celebrated throughout the Caribbean, in Brazil, and in New Orleans
a festival marked by merrymaking and processions a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc
The season immediately preceding Lent; shrove-tide Ducange gives the word carne-levale (Modern Italian, carnovále; Spanish and French, carnaval ) Italis, carnevale, carnovale, carnaval Quidam scriptores Itali carne-vale dictum putant, quasi carne vale (good-by meat); sed id etymon non probat Octav Ferrarius Cangius appellasse Gallos existimat, carn-a-val, quod sonat caro abscedit [We are referred to a charter, dated 1195, in which occurs the word carne-lcvamen, and a quotation is given in which occurs the phrase in carnis levamen ] - Ducange, vol ii p 222
A carnival is a travelling show which is held in a park or field and at which there are machines to ride on, entertainments, and games. Final celebration before the fasting and austerity of Lent in some Roman Catholic regions. The most famous and probably most exuberant carnival is that of Rio de Janeiro, which is celebrated with masked balls, costumes, and parades; the best-known U.S. celebration is Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The first day of carnival season varies with local traditions, but carnival usually ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent
a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a circus or carnival; "it was so funny it was a circus"; "the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere"
A universal word signifying the time from Twelfth Night (the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan 6) through midnight on Mardi Gras Carnival is celebrated in predominantly Catholic areas world