eyeglass
UK[ˈaɪɡlɑːs]US[ˈaɪɡlæs]
n
A single lens for correcting or assisting defective vision, typically used in a monocle or held in the hand.
n
(usually eyeglasses) A pair of lenses set in a frame, used to correct or assist defective vision; spectacles.
Morpheme Breakdown
eye
glass
eye
organ of sight
glass
transparent material
Etymology
The compound word 'eyeglass' is a transparent formation from two native English elements, 'eye' and 'glass'. Its logic is purely descriptive, naming the object by its function (for the eye) and its material (glass). The term first appeared in the late 15th century, originally referring to a single lens used as a visual aid. The concept of using shaped glass to correct vision dates to the late medieval period in Europe, with the compound term naturally emerging to describe these new instruments. The plural form 'eyeglasses' became standard for the two-lens frame, solidifying the word's place in the lexicon of optometry.
Analysis
Structure: eye (organ of sight) + glass (transparent material)
eye: From Old English ēage, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch oog and German Auge, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin oculus. Functions as the noun root, denoting the organ the device is used for.
glass: From Old English glæs, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch glas and German Glas. Functions as the noun root, denoting the material from which the lens is made.
Examples
The antique dealer found a single, ornate eyeglass from the 19th century.
He polished his eyeglasses carefully before putting them on to read the fine print.
For the detailed work, she used a powerful jeweler's eyeglass.