Question

A carnival used to refer specifically to a holiday or holidays that took place just before the start of Lent. Since Lent was a time when eating meat was forbidden, what do you suppose "carnival" meant?

Answer 1

Carnival originates from 'carne vale' meaning 'farewell to meat', a pre-Lent celebration for indulgence before the fasting period. Modern incarnations include Brazil's Carnival and New Orleans' Mardi Gras, often with parades and festivity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term carnival is derived from the Latin phrase 'carne vale', which translates to 'farewell to meat'. This reference connects directly to the celebration's timing before Lent, a period in the Christian liturgical calendar, particularly within Catholicism, when meat consumption was traditionally forbidden. The purpose of Carnival was to provide one last opportunity for festivity and indulgence in certain foods and pleasures that would be abstained from during Lent.

Examples of modern-day carnivals include Brazil's famous Carnival, which features parades, music, and dance, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans with its grand public festivities. Historical references also highlight the role of carnivals and similar celebrations within various cultures and eras, ranging from public merriments to acts that challenged societal and religious norms.

Answer 2

"I suppose that carnival meant the day of which they rid of the greed in eating meat, hence the prefix or base word Carni means to eat meat in greed, or spite" if you need a different definition or have questions, let me know :)