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spectaclemore about spectacle

spectacle


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Spectacle  \Spec"ta*cle\,  n.  [F.,  fr  L.  spectaculum  fr 
  spectare  to  look  at  to  behold,  v.  intens.  fr  specere  See 
  {Spy}.] 
  1.  Something  exhibited  to  view;  usually,  something  presented 
  to  view  as  extraordinary,  or  as  unusual  and  worthy  of 
  special  notice;  a  remarkable  or  noteworthy  sight;  a  show 
  a  pageant;  a  gazingstock. 
 
  O,  piteous  spectacle?  O,  bloody  times!  --Shak. 
 
  2.  A  spy-glass;  a  looking-glass.  [Obs.] 
 
  Poverty  a  spectacle  is  as  thinketh  me  Through 
  which  he  may  his  very  friends  see  --Chaucer. 
 
  3.  pl  An  optical  instrument  consisting  of  two  lenses  set  in 
  a  light  frame,  and  worn  to  assist  sight,  to  obviate  some 
  defect  in  the  organs  of  vision,  or  to  shield  the  eyes  from 
  bright  light. 
 
  4.  pl  Fig.:  An  aid  to  the  intellectual  sight. 
 
  Shakespeare  .  .  .  needed  not  the  spectacles  of  books 
  to  read  nature.  --Dryden. 
 
  Syn:  Show  sight;  exhibition;  representation;  pageant. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  spectacle 
  n  1:  something  or  someone  seen  (especially  a  notable  or  unusual 
  sight);  "the  tragic  spectacle  of  cripples  trying  to 
  escape" 
  2:  an  elaborate  and  remarkable  display  on  a  lavish  scale 
  3:  a  blunder  that  makes  you  look  ridiculous;  used  in  the  phrase 
  "make  a  spectacle  of"  yourself 




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