On 20 Mar 1997 22:11:42 -0500, in sci.lang.translation you wrote:

>Could someone please provide the etymologies for the
>German Brille (eyeglasses) and the Italian _occhiali_
>(eyeglasses)?  Is the Italian from "oculares" or
>something like the plural of ocular?  The German Brille,
>does it come from beryl?  Howso?

I can give you only the etymology of the Italian word .

The word 'occhiali' comes from the expression  '(vetro) occhiale' i.e.
'glass to be put before the eye'. ('occhiali' is the plural of 'occhiale')
Of course the adjective 'occhiale' comes from the noun 'occhio' which
derives form the Latin word 'oculum'.

Hope this helps. Ciao from Italy.



-------------------------------------------
Carlo Mario Chierotti - Acqui Terme, Italia
http://aquarius.net/Cmc_eng.htm
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in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Isto pare "vitros oculal", mais melior es "vitros ocular", assi
"oculares" es in le spirito de isto.  On pote anque dicer "lentes ocular",
e abbreviar lo a "oculares".  O on pote dicer como le espanioles,
"anteoculos".

Stan Mulaik