spectacles

[spek-tuh-kuhl] Example Sentences Origin

spec·ta·cle

[spek-tuh-kuhl]
noun
1.
anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive kind: The stars make a fine spectacle tonight.
2.
a public show or display, especially on a large scale: The coronation was a lavish spectacle.
3.
spectacles. eyeglasses, especially with pieces passing over or around the ears for holding them in place.
4.
Often, spectacles.
a.
something resembling spectacles in shape or function.
b.
any of various devices suggesting spectacles, as one attached to a semaphore to display lights or different colors by colored glass.
5.
Obsolete. a spyglass.
6.
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.

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Spectacles is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English < Latin spectāculum a sight, spectacle, derivative of spectāre, frequentative of specere to look, regard. See -cle2

spec·ta·cle·less, adjective
spec·ta·cle·like, adjective
su·per·spec·ta·cle, noun


1. marvel, wonder, sight, show.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To spectacles
Example Sentences
  • In high-profile cases, these two factors collide and turn ordinary prisoner transports into media spectacles.
  • Good auctions are theatrical spectacles that create the illusion of deep markets.
  • Traditionally used for wrapping gifts or taping broken spectacles back together, it has another amazing talent.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
spectacles (ˈspɛktəkəlz)
 
pl n
1.  Often (informal) shortened to: specs a pair of glasses for correcting defective vision
2.  cricket pair of spectacles a score of 0 in each innings of a match

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

spectacles
"glass lenses to help a person's sight," early 15c., from pl. of spectacle.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

spectacles spec·ta·cles (spěk'tə-kəlz)
n.
See glass.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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