1.circus的基本意思是“马戏表演,马戏团”,是集合名词,当其作主语时,谓语动词可为单数,也可为复数。引申可作“喧闹的场面”解。
2.circus也可作“环形广场”解,常与专有名词连用。

The circus is coming here next week.马戏团下星期来这儿。
The circus were very good, weren't they?这个马戏团很不错,不是吗?
There is seldom circus seen in this city.在这个城市很少有马戏表演可看。
The hall was like a three-ring circus until the police arrived to restore order.警察来恢复秩序以前,大厅内一片喧闹和混乱。
There is a Piccadilly Circus in London.在伦敦有个笔卡第利广场。

［词源］＜拉丁语circus(圆,环)