spectacle
[ spek-tuh-kuhl ]
/ ˈspɛk tə kəl /
noun
anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive kind: The stars make a fine spectacle tonight.
a public show or display, especially on a large scale: The coronation was a lavish spectacle.
spectacles.
eyeglasses, especially with pieces passing over or around the ears for holding them in place.
Often spectacles.
- something resembling spectacles in shape or function.
- any of various devices suggesting spectacles, as one attached to a semaphore to display lights or different colors by colored glass.
Obsolete.
a spyglass.
Idioms for spectacle
make a spectacle of oneself,
to call attention to one's unseemly behavior; behave foolishly or badly in public: They tell me I made a spectacle of myself at the party last night.
Origin of spectacle
1300–50; Middle English < Latin
spectāculum a sight, spectacle, derivative of
spectāre, frequentative of
specere to look, regard. See
-cle2
OTHER WORDS FROM spectacle
spec·ta·cle·less, adjective spec·ta·cle·like, adjective su·per·spec·ta·cle, nounWords nearby spectacle
speckle pattern,
speckled trout,
speckled wood,
specs,
spect,
spectacle,
spectacled,
spectacled cobra,
spectacles,
spectacular,
spectate
Example sentences from the Web for spectacles
British Dictionary definitions for spectacles (1 of 2)
spectacles
/ (ˈspɛktəkəlz) /
pl n
a pair of glasses for correcting defective vision
Often (informal) shortened to: specs
pair of spectacles cricket
a score of 0 in each innings of a match
British Dictionary definitions for spectacles (2 of 2)
spectacle
/ (ˈspɛktəkəl) /
noun
a public display or performance, esp a showy or ceremonial one
a thing or person seen, esp an unusual or ridiculous one
he makes a spectacle of himself
a strange or interesting object or phenomenon
(modifier)
of or relating to spectacles
a spectacle case
See also
spectacles
Word Origin for spectacle
C14: via Old French from Latin
spectaculum a show, from
spectāre to watch, from
specere to look at
Medical definitions for spectacles
spectacles
[ spĕk′tə-kəlz ]
n.
glass