spectacular English · revision 10327

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1682|origins=en spectacle}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /spɛkˈtæk.jʊ.lə/ ''(UK)''; /spɛkˈtæk.jə.lɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[spectacle]], Latin spectāculum, a sight, show, with the suffix [[-ar]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) on the pattern of pairs such as oracle and oracular.^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of the nature of a spectacle or show; striking: 1682 in the OED and Merriam-Webster, the 1680s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Relating to spectacles or shows is from 1864,^(OED 1989) and fond of spectacles from 1894.^(OED 1989) As a noun, a spectacular display, it is attested by 1890,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) later especially a lavishly produced radio or television programme.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) ''Spectacularity'' is from 1883.^(OED 1989) The sense unusually great or marked, as ''a spectacular increase'', is in modern use.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1682 – like a spectacle.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1864 – relating to shows.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1890 – a spectacular display (noun).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Impressive, grand or dramatic; [[sensational]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Unusually great or marked.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A lavish or elaborate show or production.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[spectacularity]]

+ * [[spectacularly]]

+ * [[nonspectacular]]

+ * [[unspectacular]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[spectacle]]

+ * [[species]]

+ * [[speculate]]

+ * [[spectator]]

+ * [[spectrum]]

+ * [[inspect]]

+ * [[aspect]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}