Middle English Dictionary Entry
spectā̆cle n.
Entry Info
| Forms | spectā̆cle n. Also spectacule, spectakle, spectakel(e, spectakil(le, spektacle, spektakil, speketacle. |
| Etymology | OF spectacle & L spectāculum. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A public entertainment or display, a show, spectacle; a marvel, wonder; (b) an object of public contempt, derision, or wonderment; (c) fig. a thing capable of being seen, something presented to the view; spectacles of wisdom; (d) an exhibition (of a specified vice), a manifestation; ~ of vanite.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Mac.5.26 : The Jewis holdynge holy day, he comaundynge his for to take armers, and he stranglide togidre alle that camen forth to the spectacle or biholdyng.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 23.48 : Al the cumpany of hem that weren there to gidere at this spectacle and syȝen tho thingis that weren don, smytinge her brestis turneden aȝeyn.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.375 : Perideus..slouȝ oon Leon in presens of the emperour, in comyn spectacle [Higd.(2): in an open disporte; L in spectaculo publico] þere me stood to beholde playes.
- c1400 Aelred Inst.(1) (Vrn)47/901 : A wundurful spectacle! Sykst þu not?
- (1422) Reg.Spofford in Cant.Yk.S.2381 : Wee ordeyne..that the prioresse..yife no lycence..to go to..comyn wakes or fetes, spectacles, and other worldly vanytees.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)468 : Speketacle: Spectaculum.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)5.1748 : This shal ben..A grete spectacule to the wordly[s] eye, ffor to seen a queen forsake lond and halle Soo sodeynly on-to deth for to falle.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)43.16 (v.1:p.280) : Gilbert .. disseuerid and departid his peple from commessacions and commoun potacions, from pleyes, from spectaclis, and from ydil discoursis on halidayes.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)39.6 : The vile lustis of this warld, as hoppynge & daunceynge of tumblers and herlotis, and other spectakils..makis men to lose ther wit fra god.
- a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)2930 : Peeple gadrid to looke on tho spectacles.
- a1500 Let.Alex.(Wor F.172)394 : Whan I had asked hem if thei knewe in that Regioun a worthy myrrour or spectacle memoratief to me, thei answerden to be a wey of x daies iorney and no more, where that I myght if that I wold see mervails.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)721/23 : Spectaculum: a spectakylle.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.4.9 : We ben maad a spectacle to the world.
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)4/67 : To gode angeles and to men Spectacle mad forsoþe we ben.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)Heb.6.6 : For þei crucyfyeþ aȝeyn Goddes sone to hem-seluen, & han hym to a spectakel.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)185/10 : A spectacle we ben mad to þis world, to angelis and men.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Heb.10.33 : Ȝe weren maad a spectacle bi schenschipis and tribulaciouns.
- a1500 Lydg.Sts.AA (Petyt 511)251/8 : By my counceill do thiself the same Which stondyst now sett as a spectacle Afore the peple which haue the in disdeyne.
c
- (1434) Misyn ML (Corp-O 236)127/19 : Contemplacion is free sight in þe spectakyls of wysdom.
d
- c1400 Aelred Inst.(1) (Vrn)35/398 : Suster, let þyse þynges styre þe to feruour of parfit charite and to noo spectacle of vanite.
2.
(a) A means of seeing, ?a window; (b) a transparent material, glass, something made of glass; (c) fig. a mirror or a reflection; (d) sight; worthi of ~, worth looking at, good-looking.
Associated quotations
a
- (1439) Doc.in Dugdale Monasticon 4553 : We ordeyne..that ye..have no lokyng nor spectacles owte warde, thorght the wiche ye mythe falle in worldly dilectacyone.
b
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.St.Austin (Hrl 2255)132 : Feith of our lord wex moor cleer than spectacle.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)2.522 : Right as the sonne persheth thorugh the glas, Thorugh the Cristall, Byrell, or spectacle Withoutyn harme, Right so..In to hir closet the faders sapience Entrede is, with outyn violence..vnto hir maydenhede.
- a1500(c1445) Lydg.Mir.Edmund (Ashm 46)165 : Bryght as berylle, clerere than spectacles, Grace excellith euery precious stoon.
c
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Letab.(Hrl 2255)111 : Sterre of the se that brought forth a sonne..To all virgines merour and spectacle Off hire merites, of hevene crownyd queene.
d
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)2 Kings 23.21 : He killide a man of Egipt, a man worthi of spectacle [WB(1): beholdynge; L spectaculo].
3.
(a) A device for assisting or enhancing the vision, a lens, an eyeglass; coll. & pl. eyeglasses, spectacles, a pair of spectacles; also, fig. a medium through which something is viewed or regarded [1st quot.]; (b) ?an eyewitness; ?an eye doctor.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1203 : Pouerte a spectacle [vrr. spektacle, spectakele] is as thynketh me Thurgh which he may his verray freendes se.
- (1415) Hoccl.Oldcastle (Hnt HM 111)417 : A spectacle helpith feeble sighte, Whan a man on the book redith or writ.
- (1423) Will York in Sur.Soc.4575 : De xx s. receptis pro pare de spectakeles de argento et deaurato.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)135a/a : If þise auaile not, it is to recourse to oculariez, i. spectaculez, of glasse & of berillez.
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)267 : Sapience a scripture ganne devyse Able to be redde with-oute a spectakle.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)5/22 : He sett a peyr spectacles on hys nose, & þan wast wel wers þan it was be-for.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)40/15 : Whanne þe obiect is in þe eire and a spectacle of glasse is bitwix þe obiect and þe iȝe..þanne oft þe obiect seen semyþ grettir..and neer þan it is.
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4915 : Item, to Davn John Ixnyng my tablees of ivory with the combe and a peyre spectaclys of syluir and ouyr gylt.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)9658 : That Eyen wych ben espyrytual, Wyth-oute spectacle or ffenestral, Sen off hem syllf mor parfytly.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)352 : A Spectakyl..oculare, spectacula.
- a1605(?a1500) Lond.Lickpenny (Hrl 542)54 : Mastar, what will ye copen or by, fine felt hatts, spectacles for to rede?
b
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)352 : A Spectakyl..ocularius.