Definition

1. Noun:
   • A swing used by circus acrobats: A short horizontal bar suspended by two ropes or metal straps, used for gymnastic exercises or aerial performances, especially in a circus.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The acrobat performed daring stunts on the flying trapeze.
  • She practiced for years to master the trapeze.
  • The circus act featured a thrilling double trapeze routine.

Advanced Usage

• "Flying trapeze": A specific type of trapeze that is released from its supports to allow the performer to swing through the air and be caught by another performer.

  • The flying trapeze artists captivated the audience with their synchronized catches.

• "Static trapeze": A trapeze that does not swing or is fixed, used for poses and less dynamic maneuvers.

  • Her routine on the static trapeze emphasized strength and balance over momentum.

Variants and Related Words

• Trapezist (n): A performer who uses a trapeze.

  • The trapezist executed a perfect somersault.

• Trapeze bar (n): Another term for the horizontal bar of a trapeze.

  • He gripped the trapeze bar tightly before his swing.

• Trapeze dress (n): A style of women's dress with a bodice that drapes and is tied at the neck, leaving the shoulders bare, loosely resembling the shape of a trapeze.

  • She wore a chic black trapeze dress to the event.

Synonyms

• Aerial swing: A swing used in the air for acrobatics.
• Gymnastic bar: A bar used for gymnastic exercises (though this is more general).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word trapeze is almost exclusively used for the acrobatic apparatus. Its use in geometry (trapezium/trapezoid) is now considered archaic or highly specialized. In modern English, the geometric terms are "trapezium" (UK) or "trapezoid" (US). The provided mathematical reference is a historical cognate, not a current primary meaning of the isolated word "trapeze."

Noun

1. a swing used by circus acrobats