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. [ 1913 Webster ]

O, piteous spectacle? O, bloody times! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A spy-glass; a looking-glass. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Poverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me,
Through which he may his very friends see. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. pl. Fig.: An aid to the intellectual sight. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shakespeare . . . needed not the spectacles of books to read nature. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Show; sight; exhibition; representation; pageant. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Furnished with spectacles; wearing spectacles. [ 1913 Webster ]

As spectacled she sits in chimney nook. Keats. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) Having the eyes surrounded by color markings, or patches of naked skin, resembling spectacles. [ 1913 Webster ]

Spectacled bear (Zool.), a South American bear (Tremarclos ornatus) which inhabits the high mountains of Chili and Peru. It has a light-colored ring around each eye. --
Spectacled coot, or
Spectacled duck (Zool.), the surf scoter, or surf duck. [ Local, U.S. ] --
Spectacled eider (Zool.) See Eider. --
Spectacled goose (Zool.), the gannet. --
Spectacled snake (Zool.), the cobra de capello. [ 1913 Webster ]