spectacle (n.)

mid-14c., "public entertainment, specially prepared or arranged display," from Old French spectacle "sight, spectacle, Roman games" (13c.), from Latin spectaculum "a public show, spectacle, place from which shows are seen," from spectare "to view, watch, behold," frequentative form of specere "to look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe").

The sense of "object of public contempt, derision or wonderment" is from mid-14c. Also "device for assisting or enhancing vision" (late 14c.), "glass or other transparent material" (early 15c.).