'Spectacle' definitions:
Definition of 'spectacle'
(from WordNet)
noun
Something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight); "the tragic spectacle of cripples trying to escape"
noun
An elaborate and remarkable display on a lavish scale
noun
A blunder that makes you look ridiculous; used in the phrase `make a spectacle of' yourself
Definition of 'Spectacle'
From: GCIDE
- Spectacle \Spec"ta*cle\, n. [F., fr. L. spectaculum, fr. spectare to look at, to behold, v. intens. fr. specere. See Spy.]
- 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; a pageant; a gazingstock. [1913 Webster]
- O, piteous spectacle? O, bloody times! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. A spy-glass; a looking-glass. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- Poverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me, Through which he may his very friends see. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- 3. pl. 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. [1913 Webster]
- 4. pl. Fig.: An aid to the intellectual sight. [1913 Webster]
- Shakespeare . . . needed not the spectacles of books to read nature. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: Show; sight; exhibition; representation; pageant. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'spectacle'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- amazement,
- antimasque,
- astonishing thing,
- astonishment,
- audience success,
- ballet,
- blazon,
- bomb,
- bravura,
- brilliancy,
- broadcast drama,
- burlesque show,
- charade,
- cliff hanger,
- closet drama,
- comedy drama,
- cosmorama,
- critical success,
- curiosity,
- cyclorama,
- daring,
- dash,
- daytime serial,
- demonstration,
- dialogue,
- diorama,
- display,
- documentary drama,
- drama,
- dramalogue,
- dramatic play,
- dramatic series,
- dramatics,
- duodrama,
- duologue,
- eclat,
- epic theater,
- etalage,
- event,
- exception,
- exhibit,
- exhibition,
- exhibitionism,
- experimental theater,
- exposition,
- extravaganza,
- eyeglasses,
- failure,
- false front,
- fanfaronade,
- figure,
- flair,
- flaunt,
- flaunting,
- flop,
- flourish,
- fool,
- gasser,
- gazingstock,
- georama,
- giveaway,
- glasses,
- Grand Guignol,
- happening,
- histrionics,
- hit,
- hit show,
- improvisational drama,
- legitimate drama,
- light show,
- manifestation,
- marvel,
- marvelment,
- masque,
- melodrama,
- minstrel show,
- miracle,
- miracle play,
- monodrama,
- monologue,
- morality,
- morality play,
- music drama,
- musical revue,
- myriorama,
- mystery,
- mystery play,
- nonesuch,
- opera,
- pageant,
- pageantry,
- panel show,
- panorama,
- pantomime,
- parade,
- Passion play,
- pastoral,
- pastoral drama,
- performance,
- phantasmagoria,
- phenomenon,
- piece,
- play,
- playlet,
- pomp,
- presentation,
- problem play,
- prodigy,
- psychedelic show,
- psychodrama,
- quite a thing,
- quiz show,
- radio drama,
- rarity,
- representation,
- review,
- revue,
- sensation,
- sensational play,
- serial,
- sham,
- shifting scene,
- show,
- showing-off,
- sight,
- sitcom,
- situation comedy,
- sketch,
- skit,
- soap,
- soap opera,
- sociodrama,
- something else,
- specs,
- spectacles,
- splash,
- splurge,
- stage play,
- stage show,
- staginess,
- straight drama,
- stunner,
- success,
- suspense drama,
- tableau,
- tableau vivant,
- talk show,
- teleplay,
- television drama,
- television play,
- theater of cruelty,
- theatrics,
- Tom show,
- total theater,
- variety show,
- vaudeville,
- vaudeville show,
- vaunt,
- vehicle,
- wonder,
- wonderful thing,
- wonderment,
- word-of-mouth success,
- work