pince-nez

[pans-ney, pins-; French pans-ney] /ˈpænsˌneɪ, ˈpɪns-; French pɛ̃sˈneɪ/
noun, plural pince-nez
[pans-neyz, pins-; French pans-ney] /ˈpænsˌneɪz, ˈpɪns-; French pɛ̃sˈneɪ/ (Show IPA)
1.
a pair of glasses held on the face by a spring that grips the nose.
Origin
1875-80; < French: literally, (it) pinches (the) nose
British Dictionary definitions for pince-nez

pince-nez

/ˈpænsˌneɪ; ˈpɪns-; French pɛ̃sne/
noun (pl) pince-nez
1.
eyeglasses that are held in place only by means of a clip over the bridge of the nose
Word Origin
C19: French, literally: pinch-nose
Word Origin and History for pince-nez
n.

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