† spectablen.
Obsolete. rare.
A spectacle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > a pattern or model of conduct
bysenc950
ensample1297
mirrora1300
ensamplerc1374
examplea1382
foregoer1382
exemplara1393
essamplerie1393
forbyseninga1400
patternc1425
spectaclec1430
precedent1535
spectable1535
foregoinga1586
modela1586
copya1616
leading card1635
patron saint1803
fugleman1814
fore-mark1863
parable1894
1535 Goodly Prymer in Eng. sig. Cv For an effectual example, & spectable of all vertues.
1550 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall & Precyouse Pearle xxviii. sig. Lij Job, the spectable of pacyence.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† spectableadj.
Obsolete.
1. Presentable to the sight; worthy of being seen or contemplated.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective]
faireOE
comelyOE
winlyOE
goodlyOE
hendya1250
hendc1275
quaintc1300
seemlyc1305
tidya1325
avenant1340
honestc1384
sightya1387
properc1390
well beseena1393
queema1400
speciousa1400
featousc1400
parisantc1400
rekenc1400
well-favoureda1438
wellc1450
spectable?a1475
delicatec1480
jollya1500
bonny?a1513
snog1513
viewlyc1536
goodlikec1550
sightly1555
sightful1565
beholdinga1586
eyesome?1587
decent1600
vage1604
prospicuous1605
eyely1614
fashionable1630
well-looking1638
softa1643
fineish1647
well-looked1660
of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700
likely-looked1709
sonsy1720
smiling1725
aspectable1731
smirkya1758
likely-looking1771
respectable1776
magnificent-looking1790
producible1792
presentable1800
good-looking1804
nice-looking1807
bonnyish1855
spick1882
eyeable1887
aegyo2007
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 5 For in this tyme presente artes and lawes scholde falle vtterly, thexemplares of acciones spectable scholde not be patent.
c1500 Inscription on Porch, St. Mary Magdalen Chapel, Widcombe in A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 409 Thys chapill floryschyd with formosyte spectabyll In honor of Mary Magdalen prior Cantlow hath edyfyd.
1611 T. Higgons Serm. Pauls Crosse 42 My function and office..was very spectable, yea honourable also.
1635 T. Heywood Hierarchie Blessed Angells iii. Comm. 150 That by which a woman is made more faire and Spectable.
1665 J. Sergeant Sure-footing in Christianity 63 Experience of them.., by the venerable Sacraments, by the spectable Majesty of outward Ceremonies.
2. Capable of being seen; visible.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adjective]
i-seyenlyeOE
iseneOE
senec1175
seyelyc1225
visiblea1340
seena1398
sighty1398
seeablea1425
spectablec1440
sightfulc1480
sightly1532
appearingc1550
discernable1561
eyely1561
discoverable1572
spectible1581
observable1589
visive1598
aspectable1612
observant1615
perspicable1621
perspiculative1623
remarkable1623
eyeable1633
visory1633
appearable1651
dignoscible1671
discernible1678
traceable1748
noticeable1753
visual1757
distinguishable1762
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 692 Ther are in hem certeyn signys spectable Which is teschewe, and whiche is profitable.
1604 T. Wright Passions of Minde (new ed.) v. §4. 220 Divers times both proportion, comelinesse, or..other perfection be more spectable in the reiected, then in the accepted.
1618 T. Adams Happines of Church i. 206 Their prayers were at the corners of streets;..& so more spectable to many passengers.
1622 Tom Tell-Troath in Harl. Misc. (1744) II. 405/1 The blasing Starr was not more spectable in our Horizon, nor gave People more Occasion of Talke.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1535adj.c1440