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Added 9 October 2026

spectacle

/ˈspɛktəkl̩/ noun

In Latin: spectāculum Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about spectacle at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight).
the tragic spectacle of cripples trying to escape
An elaborate and remarkable display on a lavish scale.
A blunder that makes you look ridiculous; used in the phrase `make a spectacle of' yourself.

Origin

From Middle English spectacle, from Middle French spectacle, from Latin spectāculum (“a show, spectacle”), from spectō (“to see, behold”), frequentative of speciō (“to see”). See species. Doublet of spectaculum.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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