Definition of: spectacle

(spek′tə·kəl) noun
1. That which is exhibited to public view; a grand display; pageant; parade; show.
2. An unwelcome or deplorable exhibition; a painful sight.
3. plural A pair of eyeglasses, with hinged bows to secure them before the eyes: used to correct defects in vision, or to protect the eyes, as from glare.
4. plural A marking on animals resembling a pair of spectacles.
—compound spectacles Optics
1. Spectacles having supplementary colored glasses hinged to them for use when desired.
2. Supplementary lenses of greater power, similarly hinged.
3. Bifocals; trifocals. [<F <L spectaculum <spectare, freq. of specere see] Synonyms: display, exhibition, pageant, parade, scene, show, sight. See SIGHT.