What does lorgnon mean?
A lorgnon is a rare, old-fashioned pair of eyeglasses held in place by a spring clip that grips the bridge of the wearer's nose. It belongs to the same general family as pince-nez and differs from ordinary spectacles, which usually have arms extending over the ears. In modern usage, “lorgnon” is chiefly literary or historical and may suggest an eccentric, learned, or elderly character, especially in descriptions of Victorian and Edwardian life. The word also appears in humorous or nostalgic prose because its unusual name vividly evokes a distinctive form of eyewear that is no longer common. A related-looking term, “lorgnette,” should not be confused with it: a lorgnette is a handheld viewing telescope rather than spectacles worn on the nose. Although the expression can refer to a single pair, speakers commonly use “a pair of lorgnons” when emphasizing the two lenses.
nounA pair of pince-nez-style eyeglasses held on the nose by a spring clip. The term is now largely old-fashioned or literary.
- A pair of pince-nez-style eyeglasses secured by a spring clip that presses against the bridge of the nose.
"The professor adjusted his lorgnon and peered over the top of it."
"He wore a lorgnon while reading the fine print in the contract."
"In her portrait, the scholar appears with a lorgnon perched beneath her nose."
Often expressed in the phrase "a pair of lorgnons," although the singular noun can itself denote a pair of eyeglasses.
"He produced a pair of lorgnons from the breast pocket of his coat."
A lorgnon grips the nose instead of relying on arms behind the ears—a Victorian predecessor of the modern spring-loaded pince-nez.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lorgnon come from?
The word was borrowed from French lorgnon, an older term for a nosegrip style of eyeglass and ultimately associated with the French verb lorgner, “to stare.” Its development reflects the word's association with looking closely or inquisitively. The exact deeper origin of the French verb is less certain, so the relationship should not be treated as a direct modern cognate connection.
How lorgnon is actually used
Largely literary, dated, or historical in modern English. It is more specific than the general words "glasses" and "spectacles," because it denotes a nosegrip style of spectacles.
Easily confused with lorgnon
A lorgnon is worn on the nose, whereas a lorgnette is a small handheld telescope used for viewing distant objects.