Pag"eant (păj"ent or
pā"jent; 277), n. [OE. pagent,
pagen, originally, a movable scaffold or stage, hence, what was
exhibited on it, fr. LL. pagina, akin to pangere to
fasten; cf. L. pagina page, leaf, slab, compaginare to
join together, compages a joining together, structure. See
Pact, Page of a book.]
1. A theatrical exhibition; a spectacle.
"A pageant truly played." Shak.
To see sad pageants of men's
miseries.
Spenser.
2. An elaborate exhibition devised for the
entertainmeut of a distinguished personage, or of the public; a show,
spectacle, or display.
The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day
!
Pope.
We love the man, the paltry pageant
you.
Cowper.
Pag"eant, a. Of the nature of a
pageant; spectacular. "Pageant pomp." Dryden.
Pag"eant, v. t. To exhibit in show;
to represent; to mimic. [R.] "He pageants us."
Shak.
