Spectacle

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French spectacle, from Latin spectaculum ("a show, spectacle"), from spectare ("to see, behold"), frequentative of specere ("to see"); see species.

Full definition of spectacle

Noun

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
• 22 March 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club The Hunger Gameshttp://www.avclub.com/articles/the-hunger-games,71293/In movie terms, it suggests Paul Verhoeven in Robocop/Starship Troopers mode, an R-rated bloodbath where the grim spectacle of children murdering each other on television is bread-and-circuses for the age of reality TV, enforced by a totalitarian regime to keep the masses at bay.
2. An exciting exhibition, performance or event.
3. An embarrassing situationHe made a spectacle out of himself
4. (usually in the plural) 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.
5. (figuratively) An aid to the intellectual sight.
• ChaucerPoverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me, Through which he may his very friends see.
6. (obsolete) A spyglass; a looking-glass.
7. The brille of a snake.

Synonyms

• (optical instrument) glasses, eyeglasses, specs

Related terms

• species
• spectacular
• speculate