spectator
nounUK /spɛkˈteɪtə/ · CA, US /ˈspɛkteɪtɚ/
Etymology Borrowed from Latin spectātor, from frequentative verb spectō (“watch”), from speciō (“look at”). Equivalent to spectate + -or. Doublet of speculator.
1
One who watches an event; especially, an event held outdoors.
- The cheering spectators watched the fireworks.
- Bart spies an opportunity to make a quick buck so he channels his inner carny and posits his sinking house as a natural wonder of the world and its inhabitants as freaks, barking to dazzled spectators, “Behold the horrors of the Slanty Shanty! See the twisted creatures that dwell within! Meet Cue-Ball, the man with no hair!”2012 May 20, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Marge Gets A Job” (season 4, episode 7; originally aired 11/05/1992)”, in The Onion AV Club:
2
One who observes, sees, or views something; an observer.
- The ſpring diſplaying her elegant taſte, the proud walk of the gold-feathered pheaſant, the light tread of the ſmall-hoofed hind, and the dancing of the ſtar-trained peacock, infuſed joy into the ſoul of the ſpectator of the aſtoniſhing works of the Creator.1769, Firishta, translated by Alexander Dow, Tales translated from the Persian of Inatulla of Delhi, volume I, Dublin: P. and W. Wilson et al., page v:
- Derived terms
- spect-actor, spectate, spectator chair, spectatordom, spectatorial, spectatoring, spectator ion, spectatorism, spectatoritis, spectatorless, spectator ligand, spectatorship, spectator sport, spectatress, telespectator