A monocle is a single lens eyeglass that is typically mounted in a frame with a string or chain and worn over one eye. It was a popular fashion accessory in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly among the upper class. The monocle was often associated with the image of a wealthy and sophisticated gentleman, and it was considered a symbol of status and refinement. The use of monocles declined in the mid-20th century, as eyeglasses with two lenses became more common and affordable. However, monocles have remained a popular accessory in certain circles, particularly in the world of fashion and entertainment. They are often used as a prop in period dramas and other works of fiction set in the past. In addition to their use as a fashion accessory, monocles can also be used to correct visual impairment, particularly in cases of astigmatism. They are not as effective as traditional eyeglasses, however, and are generally not recommended for long-term use. Despite their declining popularity, monocles continue to be an iconic symbol of a bygone era, and they remain a fascinating and unique piece of eyewear history.
eyeglass, fashion, upper class, refinement, status
The word “monocle” is a noun denoting an eye-glass of a type, with a single circular lens. Common synonyms of the word “monocle” include eyeglass, lorgnette, spectacles, and spy-glass. Antonyms of the word “monocle” include bifocals, trifocals and multifocals; words that describe different types of lenses. Cognates of the word “monocle” include ‘monocle’ in French, ‘monoculo’ in Spanish and ‘monoculo’ in Italian, all referring to the same item. Variants of the word “monocle” are “monacles” and “monocles”.
Etymology, Morphology, Monocle, Word Formation, Word Analysis, Morphosyntax
CITATION : "George Adrian Postea. 'Monocle.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=218550 (Accessed on June 30, 2025)"
The word Monocle has had a long-standing presence in the English language, and it originally derived from the ancient Greek morpheme 'mono' which means 'one' and the second part of the word 'kleis' which means 'key'. This morpheme dates back to the 4th century Greek, which means that the word has been around for centuries. The etymological roots of this word can be found in the contexts of culture and communication. In the early days, the word was used to refer to a single, colored lens worn by the upper-class people as a fashion statement and would be often used to symbolize wealth and superiority. The morphological and pragmatic aspects of the word have shifted over time to refer to any single lens, as well as a more generalized symbol of wealth and status. In modern colloquial speech, the term is also used when someone has a great deal of knowledge on a subject.
Etymology, Morphology, Monocle, Pragmatics, Evolution.
The term ‘monocle’ refers to a lens which is typically mounted in a frame with a string or chain, supported by the user’s clothing, and is worn over one eye. Monocles are typically used to correct visual impairment, particularly in cases of astigmatism. Other languages use a variety of words which are used to describe this object, including, but not limited to, monocle (French), monóculo (Spanish), lorgnette (Italian), Monokel (German), and Singl (Polish). These words illustrate the diversity and richness of the English language, with its ability to develop, incorporate and use a variety of words from a wide range of languages.
Monocular, lorgnette, monóculo, monokel, singl, monocle, eyeglass, eyepiece, one-eyed-glass, spectacle, spyglass, glass, lorgnet, loupe, opera glass, binocular.
Monocle is one of the commonly used image composition techniques for drawing jewelry and accessories for characters in anime, comics, and manga. It involves the strategic overlapping of several circles to create the shape of a round eyeglass frame. Different composition techniques can also be used to create variations of the monocle style such as a cross section of a pendant or a long rectangle; these techniques can be used to further enhance character designs.
Monocle, glasses, anime, manga, comics, accessory, eyewear, design, character, composition.
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