▪ I. † spectable, n. Obs. rare.
[Substituted for spectacle n.1, after next or OF. spectable n.]
A spectacle.
| 1535 Goodly Primer, Prayer Lord C j b, For an effectual example, & spectable of all vertues. 1550 Coverdale Spir. Perle xxviii. (1588) 269 Job, the spectable of patience. |
▪ II. † spectable, a. Obs.
[ad. L. spectābilis (f. spectāre to look) or a. OF. (also mod.F.) spectable (It. spettabile, Sp. espectable).]
1. Presentable to the sight; worthy of being seen or contemplated.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 5 For in this tyme presente artes and lawes scholde falle vtterly, thexemplares of acciones spectable scholde not be patent. 1489–99 Inscript. Holloway Chapel, Widcome in Wood Life (O.H.S.) II. 409 Thys chapill floryschyd with formosyte spectabyll In honour of Mary Magdalen prior Cantlow hath edyfyd. 1611 T. Higgons Serm. at Pauls Crosse 42 My function and office..was very spectable, yea honourable also. 1635 Heywood Hierarchy iii. Comm. 150 That by which a woman is made more faire and Spectable. 1665 J. Sergeant Sure Footing 63 Experience of them.., by the venerable Sacraments, by the spectable Majesty of outward Ceremonies. |
2. Capable of being seen; visible.
| c 1440 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 692 Ther are in hem certeyn signys spectable Which is teschewe, and whiche is profitable. 1604 T. Wright Passions v. §4. 220 Divers times both proportion, comelinesse, or..other perfection be more spectable in the reiected, then in the accepted. 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. a 1655 T. Adams Serm. ix. Wks. 1861 I. 104 Their prayers were at the corners of streets;..and so more spectable to many passengers. |