pince nez etymology

Etymology

  • "Pince-nez" is a French phrase meaning "pinch nose".
  • It is derived from the verb "pincer" (to pinch) and the noun "nez" (nose).

Meaning

  • Pince-nez refers to a type of eyeglasses that are attached to the bridge of the nose with a spring or hinge mechanism.
  • They are typically held in place by pinching the bridge, hence the name.

Origin

  • Pince-nez eyeglasses were first invented in the 13th century in Italy.
  • However, they became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as an alternative to cumbersome eyeglasses that had to be held in place with frames.
  • They were particularly favored by intellectuals, artists, and other professionals.
  • In the 20th century, pince-nez eyeglasses declined in popularity with the advent of modern eyeglasses with temples. However, they are still used by some as a fashion statement or for historical reenactments.

pince nez relate terms

  • pinch

    Etymology Middle English pinchen from Old French pincier from Latin pincere to pinc

  • nares

    Etymology The word nares is derived from the Latin word nares meaning nostrils

  • nasal

    Etymology The word nasal comes from the Latin word nasus which means nose The al

  • nasopharynx

    Etymology and Meaning of Nasopharynx The term nasopharynx is derived from Greek and Lat

  • nasturtium

    Etymology The word nasturtium comes from Latin nasus nose torquere to twis

  • ness

    Etymology of Ness The word ness has its origins in the Scottish Gaelic language wher

  • nose

    Etymology The word nose is derived from the Old English word nosu which is thought t

  • nostril

    Etymology The word nostril is derived from the Middle English word nosethirl which i

  • nozzle

    Etymology The word nozzle is derived from the Middle English word nosele which itsel

  • pince nez

    Etymology Pince nez is a French phrase meaning pinch nose It is derived from the ve

  • pinochle

    Etymology The word pinochle is derived from the French word pinochle which itself

  • puny

    Etymology Old English pune small weak worthless Proto Germanic punjaz Proto Indo

  • nest

    Etymology The word nest comes from the Old English noun nest which meant a place wh

  • faithful

    Etymology The word faithful is derived from the Old French word fealté which itself

  • theory

    Etymology The word theory comes from the Greek word θεωρία theōría meaning

  • macabre

    Etymology Latin macaber Old French macabre Middle French macabre English macabre

  • pregnant

    Etymology The word pregnant originates from the Latin word praegnans which means b

  • solemn

    Etymology The word solemn comes from the Latin word solemnis which originally meant

  • educate

    Etymology Latin educare e out ducere to lead Meaning To lead out

  • scarf

    Etymology The word scarf comes from the Old French word escharpe which itself is de