pince-nez

American  

[pans-ney, pins-, pans-ney] / ˈpænsˌneɪ, ˈpɪns-, pɛ̃sˈneɪ /

noun

plural

pince-nez

1. a pair of glasses held on the face by a spring that grips the nose.

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pince-nez British  

/ pɛ̃sne, ˈpænsˌneɪ, ˈpɪns- /

noun

1. eyeglasses that are held in place only by means of a clip over the bridge of the nose

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Etymology

Origin of pince-nez

1875–80; < French: literally, (it) pinches (the) nose

Explanation

If your costume for the school play includes wearing pince-nez, never fear: all you need is a small pair of spectacles that clip on your nose. The most fun about this word, from French for "pinch nose," is pronouncing it in a highly affected way. It denotes a pair of eyeglasses without earpieces that get their grip by spring action on the schnozzle. You're most likely to come across someone wearing pince-nez in an old novel, since they were at the height of their popularity in the nineteenth century.

Example Sentences

Gamache does not solve crimes by adjusting his pince-nez and issuing a deduction.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 19, 2022

Improbably bedecked in a bow tie, pince-nez glasses and a mailman’s hat, he held a pickle like a cigar and cracked wise in a voice borrowed from Groucho Marx.

From New York Times • May 21, 2022

She was fifty, more than twice his age, but they were of similar stature, and would have stood nearly eye to eye, with Goldman looking at Hoover through her pince-nez.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 4, 2019

He is wearing his pince-nez glasses and reading aloud from a book.

From Washington Post • Aug. 1, 2018

He took off his pince-nez and put them in his waistcoat pocket.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

• specs
• sunglasses