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

• perspectively adverb
• perspectival adjective
• perspectived adjective
• perspectiveless adjective
• 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

The researchers’ theory puts into a new perspective the many stories that crypto enthusiasts have been telling themselves this week to avoid having to squarely face that crashes are inevitable.

Read more on MarketWatch

“I’m just thinking about it all from a true rounded artist perspective with the way I’m presenting myself,” Hit-Boy says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

From my perspective as a scholar of U.S. federal courts and electoral systems, this case represents the collision of decades of Supreme Court decisions on race, redistricting and the Voting Rights Act.

Read more on Salon

He added that past government initiatives had changed Americans’ perspective on public health.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They lose out on any hope of balanced coverage, and because many choose a podcast that reinforces their political views, any chance of reconsidering perspectives.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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