Lexic.us

Definition of Spectacles

1. Noun. Optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision.

Definition of Spectacles

1. Noun. (plural of spectacle) ¹

2. Noun. (formal pluralonly) A pair of lenses set in a frame worn on the nose and ears in order to correct deficiencies in eyesight or to ornament the face. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Spectacles

1. spectacle [n] - See also: spectacle

Medical Definition of Spectacles

1. Lenses set in a frame that holds them in front of the eyes, used to correct errors of refraction or to protect the eyes. The parts of the spectacles are the lenses; the bridge between the lenses, resting on the nose; the rims or frames, encircling the lenses; the sides or temples that pass on either side of the head to the ears; the bows, the curved extremities of the temples; the shoulders, short bars attached to the rims or the lenses and jointed with the sides. Synonym: eyeglasses, glasses. Origin: L. Specto, pp. -atus, to watch, observe (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Spectacles

Literary usage of Spectacles

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1899)
"The oldest of the citizens, recollecting the spectacles of former days, the triumphal pomp of Probus or Aurelian, and the secular games of the emperor ..."

2. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1899)
"But the most lively and splendid amusement of the idle multitude depended on the frequent exhibition of public games Games and anc^ spectacles. ..."

3. The Microscope: An Introduction to Microscopic Methods and to Histology by Simon Henry Gage (1917)
"spectacles. — It is rather surprising that the use of spectacles became so ... Concave spectacles. — Roger Bacon knew concave as well as convex lenses, ..."

4. The Microscope: An Introduction to Microscopic Methods and to Histology by Simon Henry Gage (1917)
"spectacles. — It is rather surprising that the use of spectacles became so ... Concave spectacles. — Roger Bacon knew concave as well as convex lenses, ..."

5. The Living Age by Making of America Project, Eliakim Littell, Robert S. Littell (1880)
"The next preservative, Mr. Carter says, is the habitual use of proper spectacles. The curious notion, once, we believe, general in all classes, ..."

6. A Guide to the Best Fiction in English by William Winter, George Saintsbury, Ernest Albert Baker (1918)
""A PAIR OF spectacles." To the credit of the American audience the noxious "Mrs. ... 1896, Hare revived the charming comedy of "A Pair of spectacles. ..."

7. Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature by H.W. Wilson Company (1916)
"F: J. Mann. School and Sue 3:33-6 Ja l '16 School books and eyesight. School and Soc 3:608 Ap 22 '16 Eyeglasses. See spectacles ..."

8. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1858)
"Cure of Squinting by the Use of Prismatic spectacles. By T. SPENCER WELLS, FRCS—Dr. KURKE, a Dutch physician, first recommended prismatic spectacles for the ..."

Other Resources: