Bread And Circuses Definition
noun
Offerings, such as benefits or entertainments, intended to placate discontent or distract attention from a policy or situation.
American Heritage
Something, esp. something lavish, regarded as a mindless or vulgar diversion intended to keep the masses docile.
Webster's New World
Food and entertainment provided by the state.
Wiktionary
Origin of Bread And Circuses
Translation of Latin pānem et circēnsēs a phrase coined by the Roman poet Juvenal pānem accusative singular of pānis bread et and circēnsēs circus games
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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1914 translation of the Roman poet Juvenal's Latin remark panem et circenses (“bread and circuses"). ("Duas tantum res anxius optat, Panem et circenses")
From Wiktionary
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