English word spectacle comes from Latin specio (I observe, watch, look at.), Latin -culum, French spectare
Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
---|---|---|
specio | Latin (lat) | I observe, watch, look at. |
-culum | Latin (lat) | Suffix used to form some nouns derived from verbs, particularly nouns representing tools and instruments. |
spectare | French (fr) | |
spectaculum | Latin (lat) | Public or civic event. Show, spectacle. |
spectacle | French (fr) | A show, a spectacle, a performance, a concert. A sight, a showing, a display. |
spectacle | Middle English (enm) | |
spectacle | English (en) | (figuratively) An aid to the intellectual sight.. (obsolete) A spyglass; a looking-glass.. (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.. An embarrassing situation. An exciting or extraordinary exhibition, performance or event.. [...] |