Eyeglasses or a striking, impressive visual display; a grand or dramatic event meant to be watched.
From Latin 'spectaculum' (something to be seen), from 'spectare' (to watch). The eyeglasses meaning emerged because you watch through them, and the 'impressive display' meaning maintained the root sense of 'something to view.'
The word 'spectacle' and 'spectator' come from the same root—they both remind us that in Latin and ancient Rome, watching things (especially in amphitheaters) was considered an art form!
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