Obs. [ad. L. spectābilis (f. spectāre to look) or a. OF. (also mod.F.) spectable (It. spettabile, Sp. espectable).]
1. Presentable to the sight; worthy of being seen or contemplated.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 5. For in this tyme presente artes and lawes scholde falle vtterly, thexemplares of acciones spectable scholde not be patent.
1489–99. Inscript. Holloway Chapel, Widcome, in Wood, Life (O.H.S.), II. 409. Thys chapill floryschyd with formosyte spectabyll In honour of Mary Magdalen prior Cantlow hath edyfyd.
1611. T. Higgons, Serm. at Pauls Crosse, 42–3. My function and office … was very spectable, yea honourable also.
1635. Heywood, Hierarchy, III. Comm. 149–50. That by which a woman is made more faire and spectable.
1665. J. Sergeant, Sure Footing, 63. Experience of them…, by the venerable Sacraments, by the spectable Majesty of outward Ceremonies.
2. Capable of being seen; visible.
c. 1440. Pallad. on Husb., IV. 692. Ther are in hem certeyn signys spectable Which is teschewe, and which is profitable.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, V. § 4. 220. Divers times both proportion, comelinesse, or I know not what other perfection, be more spectable in the reiected, then in the accepted.
1622. Tom Tell-Troath, in Harl. Misc. (1744), II. 405/1. The blasing Starr was not more spectable in our Horizon, nor gave People more Occasion of Talke.
a. 1655. T. Adams, Serm., ix. Wks. 1861, I. 104. Their prayers were at the corners of streets;… and so more spectable to many passengers.
