Perspective

Pronunciation

Origin

Middle English, attested since 1381, from Old - or Middle French, from the first word of the Medieval Latin perspectiva ars ("science of optics"), the feminine of perspectivus ("of sight, optical"), from perspectus, the past participle of perspicere ("to inspect, look through"), itself from per- ("through") + specere ("to look at"); the noun sense was influenced or mediated by Italian prospettiva, from prospetto ("prospect").

Full definition of perspective

Noun

1. A view, vista or outlook.
2. The appearance of depth in objects, especially as perceived using binocular vision.
3. The technique of representing three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface.
4. (figuratively) The choice of a single angle or point of view from which to sense, categorize, measure or codify experience.
5. The ability to consider things in such relative perspective
6. A perspective optical glass, as used in a telescope.Not a perspective, but a mirror. — Sir Thomas Browne.
7. By analogy, sound recording technique to adjust and integrate sound sources seemingly naturally

Derived terms

• linear perspective
• metaperspective
• microperspective
• put something into perspective

Related terms

• perspicacious
• perspicacity
• perspicuity
• perspicuous
• perspicuously

Adjective

1. of, in or relating to perspectivea perspective drawing
2. (obsolete) providing visual aid; of or relating to the science of vision; optical