Caroussel

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A rotating amusement ride with seats for passengers ; a large revolving device for displaying items ; a mechanism for moving baggage or goods in a circular path
2. An entertainment attraction that spins riders around ; a circular conveyor for displaying merchandise or belongings ; a turntable system used to transport objects in a loop
3. A whirling platform with rideable mounts for enjoyment ; a looping apparatus for showcasing products or luggage ; a round mechanism transporting items along a rotating track

Etymology: The spectacle behind this word was a tournament, not a ride. In 1662, Louis XIV staged a grand equestrian pageant in Paris, with nobles in elaborate costume performing mock combat and cavalry maneuvers. The square where it was held became known as the Place du Carrousel, a name it still carries beside the Louvre. The French term came from Italian "carosello", meaning a similar show of horsemanship and mock battle. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, with possible links to Spanish "carrusel" and to a Neapolitan dialect word. The rotating ride took its name from those mounted displays, with its wooden horses standing in for the knights' steeds. This spelling, with "ou" and a double "s", is an unusual variant of the standard "carousel", but the history is the same either way.

Synonyms: carousel, merry-go-round, ride, roundabout, carousel horse