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bread and circuses

bread and circuses
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • /brɛd ænd ˈsɝː-/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • /brɛd ænd ˈsɝː-/

Definitions of bread and circuses words

  • noun bread and circuses something offered as a means of distracting attention from a problem or grievance 3
  • noun bread and circuses something, as extravagant entertainment, offered as an expedient means of pacifying discontent or diverting attention from a source of grievance. 1
  • noun bread and circuses Food and entertainment provided by the state. 0
  • noun bread and circuses Grand spectacles to distract and pacify people. 0
See all 4 definitions of bread and circuses

Information block about the term

Origin of bread and circuses

First appearance:

before 1910
One of the 15% newest English words
1910-15; translation of Latin pānis et circēnsēs; from a remark by the Roman satirist Juvenal on the limited desires of the Roman populace

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Bread and circuses

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Bread and circuses

bread and circuses popularity

This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 27% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

bread and circuses usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for bread and circuses

noun bread and circuses

  • happy hour — a cocktail hour or longer period at a bar, during which drinks are served at reduced prices or with free snacks: happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m.
Just one Synonym for bread and circuses

See also

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