pince-nez

noun, plural pince-nez [pans-neyz, pins-; French pans-ney] /ˈpænsˌneɪz, ˈpɪns-; French pɛ̃sˈneɪ/.

1. a pair of glasses held on the face by a spring that grips the nose.

noun plural pince-nez

1. eyeglasses that are held in place only by means of a clip over the bridge of the nose

n.folding eyeglasses, 1876, French, literally “pinch-nose,” from pincer “to pinch” (see pinch (v.)) + nez “nose” (see nose (n.)).