pince–nez

noun \paⁿs-ˈnā, pan(t)s-\

: a pair of old-fashioned eyeglasses that do not have pieces that fit over the ears and that are worn by being clipped onto the nose

plural pince–nez \-ˈnā(z)\

Full Definition of PINCE-NEZ

: eyeglasses clipped to the nose by a spring

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French, from pincer to pinch + nez nose, from Latin nasus — more at nose

First Known Use: 1876

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