lorgnette

noun

lor·​gnette lȯrn-ˈyet How to pronounce lorgnette (audio)
: a pair of eyeglasses or opera glasses with a handle

Examples of lorgnette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As a rule, monocles were a male accessory: If in need of an aid to vision, a woman would use spectacles or a lorgnette, a pair of glasses on a handle. Austin Grossman, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lorgnette.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from lorgner to take a sidelong look at, from Middle French, from lorgne squinting

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lorgnette was in 1803

Dictionary Entries Near lorgnette

Cite this Entry

“Lorgnette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lorgnette. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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