Definitions for spectacleˈspɛk tə kəl

ADVERTISEMENT

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

spec•ta•cleˈspɛk tə kəl(n.)

  1. anything presented to the sight or view, esp. something striking or impressive.

  2. a public show or display, esp. on a large scale.

  3. spectacles,

    Ref: glass (def. 5). 5

  4. Often, spectacles. something resembling eyeglasses in shape or function.

  5. Obs. a spyglass.

Idioms for spectacle:

  1. make a spectacle of oneself,to behave badly or foolishly in public; be conspicuous for one's poor taste, rudeness, eccentricity, etc.

    Category: Idiom

Origin of spectacle:

1300–50; ME < L spectāculum a sight, spectacle, der. of spectāre, freq. of specere to look, regard

Princeton's WordNet

  1. spectacle(noun)

    something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

    "the tragic spectacle of cripples trying to escape"

  2. spectacle(noun)

    an elaborate and remarkable display on a lavish scale

  3. spectacle(noun)

    a blunder that makes you look ridiculous; used in the phrase `make a spectacle of' yourself

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

  1. spectacle(noun)ˈspɛk tə kəl

    sth that is amazing to see

    the spectacle of the man lifting the truck

  2. spectacleˈspɛk tə kəl

    to do sth that makes you seem foolish

Wiktionary

  1. spectacle(Noun)

    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

  2. spectacle(Noun)

    An exciting exhibition, performance or event.

  3. spectacle(Noun)

    An embarrassing situation

    He made a spectacle out of himself

  4. spectacle(Noun)

    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. spectacle(Noun)

    An aid to the intellectual sight.

  6. spectacle(Noun)

    A spyglass; a looking-glass.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Spectacle(noun)

    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

  2. Spectacle(noun)

    a spy-glass; a looking-glass

  3. Spectacle(noun)

    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. Spectacle(noun)

    fig.: An aid to the intellectual sight


Translations for spectacle

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

spectacle(noun)

a sight, especially one that is very impressive or wonderful

The royal wedding was a great spectacle.

Get even more translations for spectacle »


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"spectacle." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2013. Web. 20 May 2013. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/spectacle>.


The Web's Largest Resource for

Definitions & Translations


A Member Of The STANDS4 Network


Nearby & related entries:

Alternative searches for spectacle: