spectacle

spectacle
spectacleless, adj.spectaclelike, adj.
/spek"teuh keuhl/, n.
1. anything presented to the sight or view, esp. something of a striking or impressive kind: The stars make a fine spectacle tonight.
2. a public show or display, esp. on a large scale: The coronation was a lavish spectacle.
3. spectacles. eyeglasses, esp. 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. Obs. 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.
[1300-50; ME < L spectaculum a sight, spectacle, deriv. of spectare, freq. of specere to look, regard. See -CLE2]
Syn. 1. marvel, wonder, sight, show.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • spectacle — [ spɛktakl ] n. m. • v. 1200; lat. spectaculum 1 ♦ Ensemble de choses ou de faits qui s offre au regard. ⇒ aspect, tableau. « Des vers que nous inspirait le spectacle de la nature » (Chateaubriand). Au spectacle de : à la vue de. Donner qqch. en… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • spectacle — SPECTACLE. s. m. Representation que l on donne au public pour le divertir. l Opera est un beau spectacle. la comedie est un agreable spectacle. aller aux spectacles. les spectacles sont necessaires pour amuser les peuples. il aime les spectacles …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spectacle — (n.) mid 14c., specially prepared or arranged display, from O.Fr. spectacle, from L. spectaculum a show, spectacle, from spectare to view, watch, frequentative form of specere to look at, from PIE *spek to observe (see SCOPE (Cf. scope) (1)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • spectacle — public, Spectaculum. Un spectacle qui n est point agreable, Minime gratum spectaculum. Spectacle triste, Miserum spectaculum …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • spectacle — ► NOUN ▪ a visually striking performance or display. ● make a spectacle of oneself Cf. ↑make a spectacle of oneself ORIGIN Latin spectaculum public show , from specere to look …   English terms dictionary

  • spectacle — [spek′tə kəl] n. [OFr < L spectaculum < spectare, to behold, freq. of specere, to see: see SPY] 1. something to look at, esp. some strange or remarkable sight; unusual display 2. a public show or exhibition on a grand scale 3. [pl.] Old… …   English World dictionary

  • spectacle — index phenomenon (manifestation), phenomenon (unusual occurrence), scene, vision (dream) Burton s Legal Thesaurus …   Law dictionary

  • spectacle — [n] something showy; exhibition comedy, curiosity, demonstration, display, drama, event, exposition, extravaganza, marvel, movie, pageant, parade, performance, phenomenon, play, production, representation, scene, show, sight, spectacular, tableau …   New thesaurus

  • spectacle — (spè kta kl ) s. m. 1°   Tout ce qui attire le regard, l attention, arrête la vue. •   Au spectacle sanglant d un ami qu il faut suivre...., CORN. Poly. III, 3. •   Auguste journée où ces deux rois [d Espagne et de France], avec leur cour d une… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • SPECTACLE — s. m. Il se dit de Tout objet ou ensemble d objets qui attire les regards, l attention, qui arrête la vue. Beau spectacle. Triste, horrible spectacle. Spectacle d horreur. Spectacle tragique. Spectacle touchant, instructif. Spectacle magnifique,… …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 7eme edition (1835)

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