circusses

But we were not entred into that Kingdome, whẽ by the noise of a great fight, we were guided to a pleasaunt valey, which like one of those Circusses, which in great cities somewhere doth give a pleasant spectacle of rũning horses; so of either side stretching it selfe in a narrow length was it hemd in by wooddy hilles; as if indeed Nature had meant therein to make a place for beholders.

The New Arcadia

c. 1580 (date written), Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “[The Thirde Booke] Chapter 22”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC, folio 292, recto

In the Sink of Vice under the Emperors, we hear of expenſive Mauſoleums, immenſe Circuſſes, ſplendid Amphitheatres, ſtately Columns dedicated to Monſters who diſgrac’d their Species, and many other taſteleſs Wonders built for the Gratification of human Vanity.

1755, Letters Concerning Taste, pages 84–85

Nice, March 5, 1765. /[…] / The magnificence of the Romans was not so conspicuous in their temples as in their theatres, amphitheatres, circusses, naumachia, aqueducts, triumphal arches, porticos, basilicæ, but especially their thermæ, or bathing-places.

1765, “Letter XXXI.”, in A Collection of Voyages and Travels, from the Discovery of America to the Commencement of the Nineteenth Century, volume XVII, published 1809, pages 268, 277

His next objection was to the circusses, which were to be made where this street was to cross Piccadilly and Oxford-street. These circusses would not only entirely spoil the view down those two fine streets, but would oblige the passengers to go out of their way. He thought those circusses would be nuisances in the day-time; but he could not say what they would be in the night.

1813, The Parliamentary Debates from the Year 1803 to the Present Time, volume XXVI, pages 642–643

There have been several million boys made into liars by school officials attempting to prevent their going to circusses, and we contend that it is the duty of teachers to place as few temptations to lie as possible in the way of boys.

1883, George Wilbur Peck, Mirth for the Million: Peck’s Compendium of Fun, Comprising the Immortal Deeds of Peck's Bad Boy and His Pa, and All the Choice Gems of Wit, Humor, Sarcasm and Pathos