noun, masculine/kaʁ.na.val/plural: carnavals
the carnival, last festive occasion before Lent, notably on Shrove Tuesday, marked by a masked parade and/or ball
Related: carnavalesque, carnavaleux, carnavalier, carnavaliser
Either from Italian carnevale, from Medieval Latin carnelevale, from caro (“flesh”) + levo (“to lighten, to raise”), or directly from Medieval Latin. The alternative carne vale (“to flesh/meat, farewell”) is believed to be a folk etymology.