Spectacles

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈspɛktəkl̩z/

Definitions

1. A pair of lenses set in a supporting frame that is worn on the face to assist with visual acuity and is often preferred for activities such as reading or watching distant objects
2. An optical accessory designed to correct refractive errors by placing lenses in front of the eyes, enhancing visual perception for various tasks
3. A frame holding lenses worn to sharpen eyesight ; a notable or remarkable public display or event that draws attention

Etymology: The plural "spectacles" for eyeglasses is a metaphor from the older sense of "spectacle" as a show or sight worth watching. The singular came into English from Middle French, which had it from Latin "spectāculum", meaning "a show" or "a sight", built on "spectō", "to look at or behold". That Latin verb is a frequentative, a form signalling repeated or intense action, of "speciō", "to see", so the word is rooted in the act of looking closely. Eyeglasses were called "spectacles" because the lenses were thought of as things that made the sight itself more impressive, or as an aid to viewing. The plural form, referring to a pair of lenses set in a frame, came to be used for the device that let people see better, which is why the word sounds odd on its own when read as a show or public display.

Synonyms: glasses