pince-nez

[ pans-ney, pins-; French pans-ney ]

noun

, plural pince-nez [pans, -neyz, pins, -, pa, n, s-, ney].

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

pince-nez

/ pɛ̃sne; ˈpænsˌneɪ; ˈpɪns- /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pince-nez¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pince-nez¹

C19: French, literally: pinch-nose

Example Sentences

The bushy-haired Russian Jew in the pince-nez was an ardent revolutionary but also a genuine democrat, or so the legend goes.

From The Daily Beast

Walter Fetherston glanced at the general through his pince-nez with a curious expression, but he did not join in the conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

John Maltwood, the quiet, youngish-looking man in the gold pince-nez, was popular everywhere over the country-side.

From Project Gutenberg

Every action of the doctor had been noted, and information of it conveyed to the quiet-mannered man in pince-nez.

From Project Gutenberg

Old Van's possible confidant, instead of immediately answering, again assumed the pince-nez.

From Project Gutenberg

Good fellows on the whole, with their gladstone bags and their pince-nez and their unmistakable respectability.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• specs
• sunglasses