Definition of carnival

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car·ni·val    (kärn-vl) KEY 

NOUN:

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.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Italian carnevale, from Old Italian carnelevare, Shrovetide : carne, meat (from Latin car, carn-; see sker-¹ in Indo-European roots) + levare, to remove (from Latin levre, to raise; see leg^wh- in Indo-European roots)