English Explanatory Dictionary

spectacle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An exciting or extraordinary scene, exhibition, performance etc.
  2. An embarrassing or unedifying scene or situation.
  3. Attributive form of spectacles.
  4. The brille of a snake.
  5. A frame with different coloured lenses on a semaphore signal through which light from a lamp shines at night, often a part of the signal arm.

Pronunciation

/ˈspɛktəkl̩/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Mélange a trois-spectacle.wav

Word forms

spectacle spectacles

Etymology

From Middle English spectacle, from Middle French spectacle, from Latin spectāculum (“a show, spectacle”), from spectō (“to see, behold”), frequentative of speciō (“to see”). See species. Doublet of spectaculum.

Synonyms

glasses eyeglasses specs show pageant

Related words

species spectacular speculate

Derived words

bespectacled counterspectacle make a public spectacle of oneself make a spectacle of oneself minispectacle spectacle case spectacled spectacleless spectaclelike spectaclemaker spectaclemaking spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch superspectacle

Translations

Finnish: peili Finnish: silmälasit
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