spectaclen.1
/ˈspɛktək(ə)l/ I. Senses relating to exhibition or display.
1.
a. A specially prepared or arranged display of a more or less public nature (esp. one on a large scale), forming an impressive or interesting show or entertainment for those viewing it.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > a public show or spectacle > [noun]
spectaclea1340
speculationc1440
steracle14..
triumphc1503
show1565
sprank1568
ostentation1598
presentationa1616
exposition1649
gauds1652
raree-show1681
spectacle1749
exhibition1761
draw1881
spectacular1890
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxxix. 6 Hoppynge & daunceynge of tumblers and herlotis, and oþer spectakils.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Macc. v. 26 He stranglide togidre alle that camen forth to the spectacle, or biholdyng.
1542 T. Becon Newe Pathway vnto Praier Pref. sig. A.iijv What an extreme enemy is the worlde... Howe doth it delyghte vs with the beholdyng of the vayne spectacles therof?
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cijv The Romaynes..were wont to put them [sc. the elephant and rhinoceros] together vpon the theater or stage, for a spectacle.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 315 The noblest horses..were ioyned together in chariots for races, courses, spectacles, games, and combats.
a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe (1903) v. iii. 476 To which and to many musterings and other frequent spectacles, the people flocke in great nombers.
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 126 They abhorred Theaters, and publique spectacles, especially of blood.
1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music iv. 43 The gentle Passions, and less affecting Actions, which might fill the Spectacles of a mild and peaceful Nation.
1782 J. Warton Ess. on Pope (new ed.) II. viii. 87 What solid reason can we give why the Romans..could yet never excel in tragedy, though so fond of theatrical spectacles?
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. ii. 29 Violent rain coming on, which continues without one moment's intermission during the whole of the spectacle.
a1854 H. Reed Lect. Eng. Lit. (1855) ix. 290 It was a very fine spectacle, but it was nothing more than a spectacle.
1865 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. Rationalism (1878) I. 324 He had written a treatise dissuading the Christians of his day from frequenting the public spectacles.
b. Without article.
ΚΠ
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 375 In comyn spectacle þere me stood to beholde playes and som newe þinges.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 480 Cæsar when he was Dictator, presented in spectacle foure hundred Lyons.
1740 C. Cibber Apol. Life C. Cibber iv. 57 Sir William Davenant, therefore..to make Head against their Success, was forc'd to add Spectacle and Musick to Action.
1809 N. Pinkney Trav. South of France 98 The French..infinitely excell every other nation in all things connected with spectacle.
1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi III. x. vi. 301 Gorgeous imagination rather than vanity..had led the Tribune into spectacle and pomp.
a1871 T. Carlyle Reminisc. (1881) II. 215 She was constantly in spectacle there, to herself and to the sympathetic adorers.
2. A person or thing exhibited to, or set before, the public gaze as an object either (a) of curiosity or contempt, or (b) of marvel or admiration.In 2 Samuel xxiii. 21 the later Wycliffite version has the literal rendering ‘worthi of spectacle’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [noun] > state or quality of being contemptible > object of contempt > exhibited
spectaclea1380
society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > exposure to public view > [noun] > person or thing > as object of admiration
spectaclea1380
society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > exposure to public view > [noun] > person or thing > as object of curiosity or contempt
spectaclea1380
(a)
(b)1609 Bible (Douay) I. 2 Sam. xxiii. 21 He also stroke the Ægyptian, a man worthie to be a spectacle.1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams II. i. 15 A man who..must stand alone the spectacle and admiration of all ages of the world.1805–6 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Inferno xxix. 130 And his rare wisdom Abbagliato show'd A spectacle for all.1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. v. xii. 359 There he stands, with unimpeachable passivity,..a spectacle to men.a1380 S. Paula 67 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 4 To gode angeles and to men Spectacle mad forsoþe we ben.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Heb. x. 33 In that other ȝe maad [a1400 Trin. Dublin 75 ben made] a spectacle bi schenschips in [emended in ed. to and] tribulaciouns.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Cor. iv. 9.
1582 Bible (Rheims) 1 Cor. iv. 9 We are made a spectacle to the world, and to Angels and men.
1724 J. Gay Captives v. iv. 60 Let her be led a publick spectacle.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 292 How proud I was o' being made a spectacle to men and angels, having stood on their pillory at the Canongate.
3.
a. A thing seen or capable of being seen; something presented to the view, esp. of a striking or unusual character; a sight. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun] > sight or spectacle
sightc950
showingOE
spectacle1434
inspectionc1460
show1536
object1588
eyemark1595
theatre1606
theorya1626
exhibit1676
exhibition1786
something to see (or look at)1808
eyeful1858
spectacular1890
R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Mending of Life 127 Odyr says þat contemplacion is free sight in þe spectakyls of wysdom.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xx. 97 Alas! thought I, this is no spectacle To fede myn eyne, whiche ar now all blynde.
a1540 R. Barnes Wks. (1573) 346/2 S. Augustine sayth, Let vs not loue any visible spectakilles lest..by louing shadowes we be brought in to darknes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. i. 44 But what said Iaques? Did he not moralize this spectacle ? View more context for this quotation
1648 Bp. J. Wilkins Math. Magick i. x. 66 Either of them might joyntly behold the same spectacles.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 476 The paralytic..sits, Spectatress both and spectacle, a sad And silent cypher.
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. 15 The spectacle has in it something almost supernatural.
1829 Chapters Physical Sci. 315 To observe this spectacle the back of the spectator must be turned towards the sun.
1839 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation (1863) 32 How shall I describe to you the spectacle which was presented to me.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 645 Lord Stawell..was punished by having a corpse suspended in chains at his park gate. In such spectacles originated many tales of terror.
b. The sight or view of something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [noun]
looka1200
sight?c1225
visc1340
visea1450
respection?a1475
viewa1500
prospection?1530
kenningc1540
conspect1548
ken1594
spectacle1625
styme1776
perception1817
1625 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India 1624–9 (1909) 56 Whole rabbles of people, whose revengefull eyes never glutted themselves to behould the spectacle of our mizeries.
1658 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 138 Trobled with the specktikill of a discontented sister.
1780 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. (1789) xiv. §1 The spectacle of your suffering gives me at least for a time a feeling of pleasure.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality iii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 60 The spectacle of their hurried and harassed retreat.
1852 H. Rogers Eclipse of Faith 3 The spectacle of the interminable controversies..occupied the mind of Germany.
1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 280 The spectacle of a man tortured by a life-long repentance.
4.
a. A sight, show, or exhibition of a specified character or description.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > [noun] > a manifestation
showingOE
spectacle1483
ostentationa1513
demonstration1517
objection1554
manifest1561
reflection1590
object1609
manifestation1646
avatar1850
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun] > sight or spectacle > of specific description
spectacle1483
1483 W. Caxton tr. A. Chartier Curial sig. ijv They only that ben hyest enhaunsed ben after theyr despoyntement as a spectacle of enuye, of detraction, or of hate.
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 681 Both near at hand, and far off, nothing [was seen] but terrible spectacles of horrour and dying.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 415 A poor miserable captive thrall,..A spectacle of ruin or of scorn. View more context for this quotation
1746 J. Hervey Medit. (1818) 50 How many dismal hours did that illustrious Sufferer hang, a spectacle of woe to God, to angels, and to men!
1791 E. Burke Corr. (1844) III. 219 A spectacle of suffering royalty.
1839 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation (1863) 65 Such another spectacle of filthy disorder I never beheld.
b. With descriptive adjectives denoting the impression (agreeable, imposing, or otherwise) conveyed by the thing seen.
ΚΠ
(a)
(b)1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. i. sig. N4v Pitifull spectacle, as euer eie did vew.1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge v. vi. sig. K3 Whose hand presents this gory spectacle?1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures ix. 30 Which was so dreadful a spectacle to us, as we had not the power to cry out.1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. iv. 71 The Beggars..gave me the most horrible Spectacles..an English eye beheld.1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxxi. 197 I shan't be able to stir out this Day or two. For I am a fearful Spectacle.1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 91 Mrs. Cadurcis indeed offered a most ridiculous spectacle.1865 J. Bright Speeches Amer. Question 177 Privilege has beheld an afflicting spectacle for many years past.1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxvv The same woulde be a moste pleasaunt syght, and spectacle for the Lutherians.
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 109 Your eyes being to old to iudge of so rare a spectacle.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 6 The Gray, or Horse-Fly: Her eye is an incomparable pleasant spectacle.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 76 In the mean while Nature affords us a pleasant Spectacle for this Season.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. Sept. (1965) I. 439 The shops being all set in rows so regularly well lighted, they made up a very agreeable Spectacle.
1839 C. Darwin in R. Fitzroy & C. Darwin Narr. Surv. Voy. H.M.S. Adventure & Beagle III. ix. 191 The sea presented a wonderful and most beautiful spectacle.
1873 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (1876) i. vi. 31 The magnificent spectacle of the universe.
II. Senses relating to a means or aid to seeing.† 5. † b. figurative. A mirror, model, pattern, or standard.† c. An illustrative instance or example. Obsolete.
a. A means of seeing; something made of glass; a window or mirror. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > [noun] > instrument for looking through
perspectivec1395
spectaclec1430
prospectionc1460
perspective glass1570
optic1599
optic glass1607
optical glassc1660
glass1700
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > mirror > [noun]
sunshineeOE
showerOE
glass13..
mirrorc1330
spectaclec1430
mirror glass1440
beryl-glass1540
reflecting glass?a1560
reflective1720
show-glass1810
shiner1819
c1430 J. Lydgate Life Our Lady (Bodl. 75) f. 19 Riȝt as þe son percyd þorouȝ glas, Thorouȝ crystal beryl or spectacle, Wiþ oute harme.
1439 in W. Dugdale Monasticon Anglicanum (1823) IV. 553/2 We ordeyne..that ye..have no lokyng nor spectacles owte warde, thorght the wiche ye mythe falle in worldly dilectacyone.
c1460 (a1449) J. Lydgate Legend St. Austin (Harl. 2255) l. 132 in Minor Poems (1911) i. 197 By his labour was cristened al this lond, Feith of our lord wex moor cleer than spectacle.
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Specularius, he that maketh glasse windowes or spectacles, a glasiar.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Lentulus in Panoplie Epist. 49 Should I set before your eyes, as it were a spectacle or looking glasse, men of great noblenesse and passing fame?
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 130 The first is Temperance, with a Diall and Spectacle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > a pattern or model of conduct
bysenc950
ensample1297
mirrora1300
ensamplerc1374
examplea1382
foregoer1382
exemplara1393
essamplerie1393
forbyseninga1400
patternc1425
spectaclec1430
precedent1535
spectable1535
foregoinga1586
modela1586
copya1616
leading card1635
patron saint1803
fugleman1814
fore-mark1863
parable1894
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (E.E.T.S.) 52 To all virgines merour and spectacle, Off hire merites of hevene crownyd queene.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) liiii. 79 Here is a fair spectacle to euery woman to see in, and conceyue the tyme comynge.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cccc. 695 This harde and peryllous aduenture myght well be to hym a spectacle all his lyfe after, and an ensample to all other.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxxxv The erles..determined first to ryde to London, as the chefe key, and common spectacle to the whole Realme.
?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 217 Knowing the owld sayde sawe, that preestes weare the spectacle and looking glasse of the whole worlde.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [noun] > exemplifying some rule, activity, quality, etc. > serving to confirm or illustrate > illustrative
ylikenessOE
ensample1393
exemplum?1482
spectacle1579
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue f. 65v Hee [Judas] should be a notable spectacle of God's vengeance.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 489 When the Starres of great states decline.., and [are] made the deplored-for spectacles of the inconstancy of fortune.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso (1674) i. viii. 10 Through their Masters ingratitude and cruelty..they became the spectacle of all brutish usage.
6. † d. A device for restricting the view of horses.In both passages a rendering of Italian occhiali.
a. A device for assisting defective eyesight, or for protecting the eyes from dust, light, etc., consisting of two glass lenses set in a frame which is supported on the nose, and kept in place by side-pieces passing over the ears. Usually in plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [noun] > spectacles
spectaclec1386
a pair of spectacles1423
ocularies?a1425
barnaclea1566
eye1568
sight-glasses1605
glass eye1608
prospective glass1616
sights1619
prospectivea1635
nose-compasses1654
glass1660
lunettes1681
peeper1699
eyeglass1760
specs1807
winker1816
gig-lamps1853
nose-riders1875
window1896
cheaters1920
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instruments for protecting the sight > [noun] > spectacles or eyeglasses
spectaclec1386
a pair of spectacles1423
goggles1715
eyeglass1823
preserves1883
singular.c1386 [see sense 6c].
plural.c1430 J. Lydgate London Lyckpeny in Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 105 What will you copen or by? Fyne felt hattes, or spectacles to reede?c1500 Blowbols Test. 101 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 96 No man may his letters know nor se, Allethough he looke trughe spectacles thre.1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 11v Being holpen with spectacles,..they begin to read distinctlie.1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 56 And because they cast up sand upon the passengers, some curious men use spectacles of glasse to preserve their eyes.1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 129 Use of Spectacles weakneth the sight, unlesse you wear them for need.1728 H. Pemberton View Sir I. Newton's Philos. 383 Hence may be understood why spectacles made with convex glasses help the sight in old age.1762 Philos. Trans. 1761 (Royal Soc.) 52 124 Plain spectacles..do not appear to have been known till a hundred years after.1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics xxxviii. 320 Spectacles and reading glasses are among the simplest and most useful of optical instruments.1859 Habits Good Society iii. 154 I am one of those people who wear spectacles for fear of seeing anything with the naked eye.1886 J. Ruskin Præterita II. vii. 233 Tourists who pass their time mostly in looking at black rocks through blue spectacles.in extended use.a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. ii. 112 I..bid mine eyes be packing.., And call'd them blinde and duskie Spectacles . View more context for this quotation1415 T. Hoccleve To Sir J. Oldcastle 417 Right as a spectacle helpith feeble sighte, Whan a man on the book redith or writ.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 27 Myn eyne bleynte Shuld be, ner helpe of a spectacle.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxv. 256 There be artes and methodes..by which the naturall is in some sorte relieued, as th'eye by his spectacle.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1956) VIII. 259 I thank him..that assists me with a spectacle, when my sight grows old.
a1641 J. Smyth Berkeley MSS (1883) II. 408 Reading much, yet never used spectacle or other help.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Eye This Membrane, like a Kind of Spectacle, covers the Eye.
b. a pair of spectacles. †Also without of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [noun] > spectacles
spectaclec1386
a pair of spectacles1423
ocularies?a1425
barnaclea1566
eye1568
sight-glasses1605
glass eye1608
prospective glass1616
sights1619
prospectivea1635
nose-compasses1654
glass1660
lunettes1681
peeper1699
eyeglass1760
specs1807
winker1816
gig-lamps1853
nose-riders1875
window1896
cheaters1920
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instruments for protecting the sight > [noun] > spectacles or eyeglasses
spectaclec1386
a pair of spectacles1423
goggles1715
eyeglass1823
preserves1883
1423 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1865) III. 75 De xxs receptis pro pare de spectakeles de argento et deaurato.
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 15 A peyre spectaclys of syluir and ouyr gylt.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 147/1 And so should the scripture stand them in as good stede, as a paire of spectacles shold stand a blinde freer.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxv. 255 No lesse to be laughed at, then for one that can see well inough, to vse a paire of spectacles.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 24 Dec. (1972) VII. 420 I this evening did buy me a pair of green spectacles, to see whether they will help my eyes or no.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. ii. 46 A pair of Spectacles (which I sometimes use for the weakness of mine Eyes).
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. III. 198 On the other side is another cardinal with a large pair of spectacles on his nose.
1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xxiii. 582 A pair of spectacles, with side as well as front glasses.
c. figurative. A means or medium through which anything is viewed or regarded; a point of view, prepossession, prejudice, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > mental attitude, point of view > [noun]
spectaclec1386
reckoninga1393
view1573
sect1583
prospective1603
light1610
posture1642
point of view1701
stand1819
attitude of mind1832
psychology1834
standpoint1834
perspective1841–8
position1845
viewpoint1856
angle1860
way of looking at it1861
attitudea1873
pose1892
Anschauung1895
slant1905
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale 347 Povert a spectacle is, as thinkith me, Thurgh which he may his verray frendes se.
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue f. 16 He that putteth on the Christall spectacles of Gods word.
1598 R. Barckley Disc. Felicitie of Man v. 551 We behold our own faults with spectacles that make things shew lesse.
1606 True Relation Proc. at Arraignm. Late Traitors 356 False informations, which are rightly called the spectacles of error.
1644 C. Jessop Angel Church of Ephesus 62 One of late looking on his words with an Episcopall paire of spectacles, blesseth himselfe at the reading of them.
1676 T. Hobbes in tr. Homer Iliads Pref. They that..look upon it with the oldest spectacles of a Critick, may approve it.
1711 J. Anderson Countrey-man's Let. to Curat 29 All the World hitherto had thought, these Horses and Chariots of Fire had been the Prophets Guard not his Danger; But they have wanted the Doctor's Spectacles.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. II. vi. 102 Oxford was a sort of Utopia to the Captain, who..continued..to behold towers, and quadrangles, and chapels,.. through rose-coloured spectacles.
1869 J. Martineau Ess. Philos. & Theol. 2nd Ser. 5 They offer you the spectacles they did not use.
1889 Spectator 28 Dec. 912/1 He early recognised that it is a scholar's duty to interpret what he sees simply, without the spectacles of prepossession.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > horse-gear > [noun] > blinkers
winkers1583
eye-flap1611
spectacle1632
lunettea1656
headboard1679
blinkers1732
bluff1777
blinder1807
bumblea1825
blind1828
blind-winkers1831
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 3 The horse with his spetacles and covering.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Polit. Touch-stone in Advts. from Parnassus 395 The jealous Spaniards keep..a caveson upon his nose, a bit in his mouth, a spectacle on his eyes, as if they were afraid of him.
7.
a. elliptical. A species of moth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > family Noctuidae > genus Noctua or Cucullia > member of
shark1819
shark-moth1819
spectacle1819
noctua1826
1819 G. Samouelle Entomologist's Compend. 422 Noctua triplasea. The dark Spectacle. Noctua asclepiades. The light Spectacle.
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 92 The Dark Spectacle (Abrostola triplasia) appears in July.
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 92 The Spectacle (Abrostola Asclepiadis) appears the end of July.
b. Zoology. A marking resembling a pair of spectacles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > markings or colourings > [noun] > mark resembling spectacles
spectacle1884
1884 E. Coues Key to N. Amer. Birds (ed. 2) 815 Spectacled Guillemot... A pair of white spectacles on the eyes, and whitish about base of bill.
1908 E. M. Gordon Indian Folk Tales (1909) viii. 76 Two varieties of cobrā, one with the spectacles and the other without them.
c. plural. A batter's score of two zeros or ‘duck's eggs’ in a cricket match of two innings. Frequently in a pair of spectacles. Cf. pair n.1 2b †Also (rarely) in singular, a score of zero in one innings.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > running > no score by batsman
spectacles1835
egg1861
nought1862
pair1862
duck's egg1863
round O1863
duck1868
blob1889
balloon1906
1835 Bell's Life in London 13 Sept. 3/4 Good put a spectacle on him first ball.
1865 F. Lillywhite Guide to Cricketers (ed. 21) 27 The ominous ‘spectacles’ have been worn by the best sighted men.
1892 in W. A. Bettesworth Chats Cricket Field (1910) 455.
1893 Whitaker's Almanack 613 Unlucky enough to make spectacles for his side against Middlesex.
1898 Globe 1 Sept. 5/5 Yesterday in a match..he made a pair of spectacles.
1907 E. V. Lucas Hambledon Men 230 It is believed he never made two noughts, or ‘a pair of spectacles’, in any match of note!
1979 Wisden Cricket Monthly Dec. 21/3 Who got a ‘pair of spectacles’ for Yorkshire on his first appearance?
8.
a. plural. The glazed openings in the cab-screen of a locomotive.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > cab for driver > windows in
spectacles1878
spectacle plate1900
1878 F. S. Williams Midland Railway (ed. 4) 503 We..see through the ‘spectacles’ of the powerful little engine..that [etc.].
1896 B'ham Weekly Post 15 Feb. 8/7 The lid of the sand~box was blown off, and, rising in the air, was shot through the spectacles of the engine.
b. The device consisting of two frames containing respectively red and green glass worked at night in connection with a railway semaphore.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > railway system or organization > [noun] > types of signal system > types of signal
switch-signal1838
semaphore signal1845
distance signal1848
home signal1857
block signal1864
dwarf signal1870
distant signal1874
switch-lantern1875
distant1881
spectacle1881
switch-lamp1898
banjo1902
peg1911
1881 Standard 17 Dec. 2/5 When we got to the up-distant signal I called..attention to the fact that the arm and spectacle were thickly covered with snow.
1889 G. Findlay Working & Managem. Eng. Railway 68 With the arm is a frame containing coloured glasses, and termed ‘spectacles’.
c. A mechanical device attached to a phonograph (see quot. 1889).
ΚΠ
1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 11 Mar. 1/1 I have just finished some improvements in the spectacle (a term given to the mechanical device holding the receiver and transmitter).
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations (in sense 1).
ΚΠ
1834 B. Rev. 60 7 The spectacle-loving public of the seventeenth century.
1908 Stage Year Bk. 21 An ingeniously conceived..spectacle play.
C2.
a. General attributive (in sense 6).
(a)
spectacle-frame n.
ΚΠ
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) II. 179/1 In the manufacture of blue steel spectacle-frames.
1898 T. Watts-Dunton Aylwin xv. iii A strongly marked indented line..made by long-continued pressure of the spectacle frame.
spectacle lens n.
ΚΠ
1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 2899 Concave, convex, and meniscus spectacle lenses.
spectacle-mark n.
ΚΠ
1895 Oracle Encycl. II. 98 Specimens [of the Cobra] destitute of the spectacle-mark come from the E. Indies.
spectacle-seller n.
ΚΠ
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Een bril-maker, ofte verkooper, a Spectacle..Seller.
1847 A. Smee Vision in Health & Dis. 50 The knowledge possessed by even the better order of spectacle-sellers.
spectacle-user n.
spectacle-wiper n.
ΚΠ
1838 Duke of Wellington Let. to Miss J. (1890) 102 I return..the Spectacle Wipers which you was so good as to send me.
spectacle years n.
ΚΠ
1653 R. Austen Spirituall Vse of Orchard 9 in Treat. Fruit-trees What a shame is it for a man to begin to learne his Letters, & to spell at spectacle yeares!
(b)
spectacle-bestrid adj.
ΚΠ
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 439 At conventicle, where worthy men..strain celestial themes Through the prest nostril, spectacle-bestrid.
spectacle-blurred adj.
ΚΠ
1932 W. Faulkner Light in August xiii. 291 Misshapen, with his gray stubble and his dark spectacle blurred eyes..he entered the..store.
spectacle-less adj.
ΚΠ
1889 Longman's Mag. Oct. 619 Her brother's helplessness in his spectacleless condition.
spectacle-like adj.
ΚΠ
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 13 Those Spectacle-like cant Windows, which are of Glasse on all sides.
1796 P. Russell Acct. Indian Serpents Coromandel I. 8 The spectacle-like mark on the hood.
spectacle-shaped adj.
ΚΠ
1802 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. III. i. 409 The neck marked above by a large black and white spectacle-shaped spot.
b. In names of animals or birds having markings round the eyes, or elsewhere, suggestive of a pair of spectacles. (Cf. spectacled adj. Compounds.)
spectacle bat n.
ΚΠ
1827 E. Griffith et al. Cuvier's Animal Kingdom V. 69 Phyllostoma Perspicillatum (Spectacle Bat).
spectacle owl n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Strigiformes or owl > [noun] > family Strigidae > other types of
spotted owl1785
spectacle owl1787
1787 J. Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds Suppl. I. 50 Spectacle Owl..is less stout than the Cinereous Owl.
1829 E. Griffith et al. Cuvier's Animal Kingdom VI. 83 The Spectacle Owl,..Strix perspicillata.
spectacle snake n.
ΚΠ
1802 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. III. ii. 409 Spectacle Snake... The Coluber Naja, or Cobra de Capello, is a native of India.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 60/2 The Asiatic species.., Spectacle-snake of the English,..may be considered as the type of the genus.
spectacle thrush n.
ΚΠ
1781 J. Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds I. i. 61 Spectacle Thrush.
spectacle warbler n.
ΚΠ
1783 J. Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds II. i. 452 Spectacle Warbler..[has] a naked yellowish wrinkled skin, which encircles the eye all round, giving the appearance of wearing spectacles.
C3. Special combinations.† spectacle telescope n. Obsolete a binocular telescope or field-glass.
spectacle-case n. a case of leather or other material in which spectacles are kept when not in use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > apparatus > [noun]
spectacle-case1597
steel glass1662
dark glasses1733
bruiser1738
hone pavement1738
Ramsden's ghost1807
sunshade1829
optical bank1874
phacometer1876
optical bench1880
flat1897
lens paper1925
light pipe1939
lens tissue1941
optical fibre1960
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [noun] > spectacles > case for spectacles
spectacle-case1597
1597 in J. Harland House & Farm Accts. Shuttleworths (1856) I. 108 A specta [c] le cace, vjd.
1690 London Gaz. No. 2079/4 Lost.., a Black Shagreen Spectacle-Case.
1866 J. Martineau Ess. Philos. & Theol. 1st Ser. 47 The spectacle-case may well be empty, if the glasses are already on the nose.
spectacle clew n. a form of double clew for a sail.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > sail > [noun] > lower corner(s) of sail > clew
clue1599
clew1627
spectacle clew1863
1863 Illustr. Hand-bk. & Price Current Machinery & Iron Work (Appleby Bros.) 92 Spectacle Clues, all sizes—Black, 35/0 per cwt.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 200/1 Ear-ring clew... Spectacle clew.
spectacle eye n. a spectacle glass.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [noun] > spectacles > lens of spectacles
spectacle-glassa1582
spectacle eye1862
lens1875
1862 Internat. Exhib.: Illustr. Catal. Industr. Dept. II. xiii. §2887 Lump of Brazilian pebble, from which slabs are cut and ground into spectacle eyes.
spectacle furnace n. (see quot. 1875).
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2257/2 Spectacle-furnace,..a furnace with two tap-holes, one above the other.
spectacle plate n. = sense 8a.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > cab for driver > windows in
spectacles1878
spectacle plate1900
1900 Daily Express 19 June 5/7 Alongside the driver is a fireman,..frowning..through the spectacle plate.
spectacles-seat n. slang the nose.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > nose > [noun]
noseeOE
naseeOE
nebeOE
billa1000
nesec1175
grunyie?a1513
gnomon1582
nib1585
proboscis1631
handle to (also of, on) one's face1675
snot-gall1685
nozzle1689
bowsprit1690
smeller1699
snitch1699
trunk1699
vessel1813
index1817
conk1819
sneezer1820
scent box1826
snorter1829
snuff-box1829
bugle1847
beak1854
nasal1854
sniffer1858
boko1859
snoot1861
snorer1891
horn1893
spectacles-seat1895
razzo1899
beezer1915
schnozzle1926
schnozzola1929
schnozz1930
snozzle1930
honker1942
hooter1958
1895 G. Meredith Amazing Marriage I. xvi. 180 Ben received a second spanking cracker on the spectacles-seat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instrument for distant vision > [noun] > binoculars or field-glasses
prospective glass1616
spectacle telescope1728
field glass1782
race-glass1843
racing glass1854
bird glasses1900
prism binocular1901
prismatic binoculars1905
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Spectacles F. Cherubin, a Capuchin, describes a kind of Spectacle-Telescopes, for the viewing of remote Objects with both Eyes; hence called Binoculi.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
spectaclen.2
1. = spectacle n.1 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > a public show or spectacle > [noun]
spectaclea1340
speculationc1440
steracle14..
triumphc1503
show1565
sprank1568
ostentation1598
presentationa1616
exposition1649
gauds1652
raree-show1681
spectacle1749
exhibition1761
draw1881
spectacular1890
1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 16 Dec. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1465 Go to whatever assemblies or spectacles people of fashion go to.
1768 Earl of Carlisle in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) II. 336 I shall go to Fontainbleau on Saturday next. It is to be extremely dull; no spectacle at court.
1789 A. Young Jrnl. 1 Nov. in Trav. France (1792) i. 217 If cheapness of living, spectacles, and pretty women, are a man's objects.., let him live at Venice.
1801 H. M. Williams Sketches Manners French Republic I. xi. 110 The love of a spectacle is, you know, the ruling passion of the Parisians.
1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott III. xi. 370 So mounted,..he witnessed the great closing spectacle on the Champ de Mars.
2. spec. A piece of stage-display or pageantry, as contrasted with real drama.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > mime > tableau > [noun]
pageantc1450
picture1588
spectacle1752
tableau vivant1821
tableau1828
living picture1851
set piece1859
1752 T. Scrope in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) I. 149 Their spectacles were very grand, and their stage far surpasses ours; but their plays, in my opinion, fall as far short.
1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 1059 (note) The progress of the piece evidently requires here some little pageant or spectacle.
1860 Once a Week 14 July 70/1 The young Thespians..had to appear as Peace and Plenty, amidst a great display of red-light, at the end of a grand spectacle, which was drawing uncommonly well.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
spectaclev.
rare.
1. transitive. To scrutinize through spectacles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at through glass or glasses
side-glass1679
spectacle1744
eyeglass1828
spy1893
glass1935
1744 R. North & M. North Life Sir D. North & Rev. J. North 161 The Barons, each one after another, spectacled it over and over, and scarce believed their own Eyes.
1888 A. G. Murdoch Sc. Readings 2nd Ser. 47 Oh, ye may spectacle me as much as ye like, my fine man.
2. To provide with spectacles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > provide with aid to defective vision [verb (transitive)] > provide with spectacles
spectacle1880
1880 Sat. Rev. No. 1295. 235 Of late years the practice of putting children into spectacles has increased with alarming rapidity... Spectacling them may be a wholesome preventive.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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n.1a1340
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