pince-nez

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Templeless eyeglasses that clip to the bridge of the nose.

   Lord Belpher, leaning against the wall and trying to decide whether his right or left foot hurt him the more excruciatingly, became aware that a curate was standing before him, regarding him through a pair of gold-rimmed pince-nez with a disapproving and hostile expression.

2. 2
   noun

   spectacles clipped to the nose by a spring

Borrowed from French pince-nez (literally “pinch-nose”).

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