specs, specks (speks)

pl. A colloquial contraction of spectacles. spec tablet (spek'ta-bl), a. [ME. spec table, Ther are in hem certayne signes spec table , Which is to eschewe, and which is profitable. Palladius , Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 128. Their [the Pharisees'] prayers were at the corners of streets; such corners where divers streets met, and so more spec table to many pa engers. 5809 son's vision. Spectacles with colored lenses, as green, blue, neutral-tint, or smoke-color, are used to protect the eyes from a glare of light. Divided spectacles have each lens composed of two parts of different foci neatly united, one part for observing distant objects, and the other for examining objects near the eve. Another kind, called peri scopic spectacles, are intended to allow the eyes considerable latitude of motion without fatigue. The lenses employed in this case are of either a meniscus or a concavo convex form, the concave side being turned to the eye. Spectacles with glazed wings or frames partly filled with crape or wire gauze are used to shield the eyes from dust, etc. He [Lord Crawford] sat upon a couch covered with deer's hide, and with spectacles on his nose (then a recent invention) was laboring to read a huge manuscript called the Rosier de la Guerre. Scott, Quentin Durward, vii. 6. pl. Figuratively, visual aids of any kind, physical or mental; instruments of or a istance in seeing or understanding; also, instruments or means of seeing or understanding otherwise than by natural or normal vision or perception: as, rose-colored spectacles; I cannot see things with your spectacles. And even with this I lost fair England's view, And bid mine eyes be packing with my heart, And call'd them blind and dusky spectacles , For losing ken of Albion's wished coast. Shak., 2 Hen. VI., iii. 2. 112. spectacles of obedience and reverence to their place and Subjects are to look upon the faults of princes with the Donne, Sermons, ii. persons. Shakespeare was naturally learn'd; he needed not and found her there. the Spectacles of Books to read Nature; he look'd inwards, Dryden, E ay on Dram. Poesy (1693), p. 31. 7. pl . In zoöl . , a marking resembling a pair of spectacles, especially about the eyes: as, the spectacles of the cobra. See cut under cobra A pair of white spectacles on the eyes, and whitish about base of bill. Coues , Key to N. A. Birds, p. 815. exhibition. IMG:content-1674.jpg:[blocks in formation] So exquisitly was it [a crucifix] form'd that it represented in a very lively manner the lamentable spectacle of our Lord's Body, as it hung upon the Cro . Maundrell , Aleppo to Jerusalem, p. 72. How much we forgive in those who yield us the rare spectacle of heroic manners! Emerson , Conduct of Life. 2. Specifically, a public show or display for the gratification of the eye; something designed or arranged to attract and entertain spectators; a pageant; a parade: as, a royal or a religious spectacle; a military or a dramatic spectacle . The stately semi-religious spectacle in which the Greeks delighted. J. Fergu on, Hist. Arch., Ι. 324. In the winter season the circus used to amalgamate with a dramatic company, and make a joint appearance in equestrian spectacles . J. Jefferson, Autobiog., iii. 3t. A looking-gla ; a mirror.-4t. A spygla ; a speculum. Poverte a spectacle is, as thynketh me, Thurgh whiche he may hise verray frendes see. Chaucer, Wife of Bath's Tale, 1. 347. 5. pl. A pair of lenses set in a frame adjusted to the eyes, to correct or improve defective vision; also, sometimes, a similar frame with pieces of plain white or colored gla to protect the eyes from glare or dust: commonly called a pair of spectacles. The frame was in former times usually of horn or tortoise-shell, and afterward of IMG:content-1675.png:[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small] A, spectacles with bows hinged to the shoulders on the rims connected by the nose or bridge. B, spectacles with hook-bows and with C, Compound spectacles. (a) Spectacles fitted for receiving extra colored gla es, or to which additional lenses can be attached to vary the power. (b) A form of spectacles having in each bow two half gla es differing in power or character; divided spectacles. See def. 5.- Franklin spectacles. Same as pantoscopic spectacles (which see, under pantoscopic ). spectacled (spek'ta-kld), a. [ spectatorial which is a variety of the spurofen, a form of shaft-furnace of which the e ential peculiarity is that the melted material runs out upon the inclined bottom of the furnace into a crucible like receptacle or pot outside and in front of the furnace-stack. This sort of furnace has been used at Mansfeld and in the Harz, but apparently not in any English-speaking country.