perspective

[per-spek-tiv]

noun

1. a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.

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.

perspective

/ pəˈspɛktɪv /

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; objectivity

   try 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

perspective

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

Other Word Forms

• perspectival adjective
• perspectived adjective
• perspectiveless adjective
• perspectively adverb
• nonperspective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perspective¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin perspectīva (ars) “optical (science),” perspectīvum “optical glass,” noun uses of feminine and neuter of perspectīvus “optical,” equivalent to Latin perspect(us) “looked at closely,” past participle of perspicere “to look at closely” ( per-, inspect ) + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of perspective¹

C14: from Medieval Latin perspectīva ars the science of optics, from Latin perspicere to inspect carefully, from per- (intensive) + specere to behold

Example Sentences

Thucydides’ mastery of perspective allows him to populate his landscapes with the dilemmas of democratic politics—the battlefield where psychology meets strategy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“From a normal lawyerly perspective, these things are really imprecise. But that imprecision gives maximum flexibility so that a range of people can be targeted and, potentially, chilled,” she said.

Read more on Salon

"I think from Sinn Féin's perspective and I wasn't on the Executive. In all instances we tried to follow the medical advice which is important that we did."

Read more on BBC

To put that in perspective, George W. Bush was president and Ben Bernanke was in his first year as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Read more on Barron's

It also has a camera that flies—literally, in some instances, when the handheld camera is transferred to a drone and the perspective goes airborne.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• angle 
• aspect 
• attitude 
• context 
• mindset 
• prospect 
• viewpoint