or Carnaval, a time of rejoicing, a season of mirth, observed with great solemnity by the Italians, particularly at Venice, holding from twelfth-day till lent.

Feasts, balls, operas, concerts of music, intrigues, marriages, &c. are chiefly held in carnival-time. The carnival begins at Venice the second holiday in Christmas: Then it is they begin to wear masks, and open their play-houses and gaming-houses; the Place of St Mark is filled with mountebanks, jack-puddings, pedlars, whores, and such like mob, who flock thither from all parts: There have been no less than seven sovereign princes, and thirty thousand foreigners here, to partake of these diversions.

CAROB-tree. See Ceratonia.