pageant

Alternative forms

• pageaunt (obsolete)

Etymology

From Medieval Latin pagina. Late 14c., "play in a cycle of mystery plays", perhaps from Latin pagina (“page of a book”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpædʒənt/

Noun

pageant (plural pageants)

1. An elaborate public display, especially a parade in historical or traditional costume.
2. A spectacular ceremony.
3. A beauty pageant.
4. An elaborate exhibition devised for the entertainment of a distinguished personage, or of the public; a show, spectacle, or display.
   • 1826, Mary Shelley, The Last Man, volume 3, chapter 4

     For a few moments the events of the day floated in disastrous pageant through my brain, till sleep bathed it in forgetfulness [...]

Verb

pageant (third-person singular simple present pageants, present participle pageanting, simple past and past participle pageanted)

1. To exhibit in show; to represent; to mimic.
   • Shakespeare

     He pageants us.

Anagrams

• Napgate