Spĕc'ta-cle (-kl), n.

n. [Fr. spectacle, Sp. espectaculo, It. spettacolo, Lat. spectaculum, from spectare, to look at, to behold, v. intens. from specere, id.] 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. O, piteous spectacle! O, bloody times! Shak.

2. (pl.) An optical instrument consisting of two lenses set in a light frame, and used to obviate some defect in the organs of vision.
3. (pl.) Hence, something that aids the intellectual sight.

Shakespeare . . . needed not the spectacles of books to read nature. Dryden. Syn. — Show; sight; exhibition; representation; pageant.