[paj-uh
nt] 
| 1. | an elaborate public spectacle illustrative of the history of a place, institution, or the like, often given in dramatic form or as a procession of colorful floats. |
| 2. | a costumed procession, masque, allegorical tableau, or the like forming part of public or social festivities. |
| 3. | a show or exhibition, esp. one consisting of a succession of participants or events: a beauty pageant. |
| 4. | something comparable to a procession in colorful variety, splendor, or grandeur: the pageant of Renaissance history. |
| 5. | a pretentious display or show that conceals a lack of real importance or meaning. |
| 6. | (in medieval times) a platform or stage, usually moving on wheels, on which scenes from mystery plays were presented. |
| 7. | display or pageantry. |
| 8. | Obsolete. a stage bearing any kind of spectacle. |
[puh-jan-tik] , adjective | pag·eant (pāj'ənt) n.
[Middle English pagin, pagent, moveable stage for a mystery play, mystery play, alteration of Medieval Latin pāgina, probably from Latin, page; see pag- in Indo-European roots.] |