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definitions

perspective

[per-spek-tiv]
noun
  1. a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.Compare aerial perspective, linear perspective.
  2. a picture employing this technique, especially one in which it is prominent: an architect's perspective of a house.
  3. a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on the main axis of an estate.
  4. the state of existing in space before the eye: The elevations look all right, but the building's composition is a failure in perspective.
  5. the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship: You have to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.
  6. the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship: Your data is admirably detailed but it lacks perspective.
  7. a mental view or prospect: the dismal perspective of terminally ill patients.
adjective
  1. of or relating to the art of perspective, or represented according to its laws.

Origin of perspective

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin perspectīva (ars) optical (science), perspectīvum optical glass, noun uses of feminine and neuter of perspectīvus optical, equivalent to Latin perspect-, past participle stem of perspicere to look at closely (see per-, inspect) + -īvus -ive
Related formsper·spec·tiv·al, adjectiveper·spec·tived, adjectiveper·spec·tive·less, adjectiveper·spec·tive·ly, adverbnon·per·spec·tive, noun, adjective
Can be confusedperspective prospective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for non-perspective

perspective

noun
  1. a way of regarding situations, facts, etc, and judging their relative importance
  2. the proper or accurate point of view or the ability to see it; objectivitytry to get some perspective on your troubles
  3. the theory or art of suggesting three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface, in order to recreate the appearance and spatial relationships that objects or a scene in recession present to the eye
  4. the appearance of objects, buildings, etc, relative to each other, as determined by their distance from the viewer, or the effects of this distance on their appearance
  5. a view over some distance in space or time; vista; prospect
  6. a picture showing perspective
Derived Formsperspectively, adverb

Word Origin for perspective

C14: from Medieval Latin perspectīva ars the science of optics, from Latin perspicere to inspect carefully, from per- (intensive) + specere to behold
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for non-perspective

perspective

n.

late 14c., "science of optics," from Old French perspective and directly from Medieval Latin perspectiva ars "science of optics," from fem. of perspectivus "of sight, optical" from Latin perspectus "clearly perceived," past participle of perspicere "inspect, look through, look closely at," from per- "through" (see per) + specere "look at" (see scope (n.1)). Sense of "art of drawing objects so as to give appearance of distance or depth" is first found 1590s, influenced by Italian prospettiva, an artists' term. The figurative meaning "mental outlook over time" is first recorded 1762.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
non-perspective in Culture

perspective

In drawing or painting, a way of portraying three dimensions on a flat, two-dimensional surface by suggesting depth or distance.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.