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.

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.

Derived Forms

• perˈspectively, adverb

Other Words From

• per·spectiv·al adjective
• per·spectived adjective
• per·spective·less adjective
• per·spective·ly adverb
• nonper·spective noun adjective

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

So if parents decide to take a gap year, it’s allowed from a legal perspective.

From Voice of San Diego

Which is weird because you might imagine from an evolutionary perspective that would be pretty useful.

From Nautilus

Max Cutler, 29Managing director, Parcast at SpotifyFrom a personal perspective, the pandemic has forced me to slow down and reflect on what truly matters in both my work and personal life.

From Fortune

To put that in perspective, Tesla’s stock rose roughly 33% in all of 2019.

From Fortune

Here are three ways to salt your cocktails at home—each bartender-approved technique is sure to give you a new perspective on salt.

From Popular-Science

The choice between freedom and fear is not difficult when seen with perspective.

From The Daily Beast

Cosby conspiracy theorists share a perspective born of a long, pained history of American racism.

From The Daily Beast

But he was always uncommonly gracious, a truly gentle man, willing to dispense wisdom and perspective when asked.

From The Daily Beast

This was a guy from the hip-hop generation and with a perspective that was inextricably linked to that generation.

From The Daily Beast

It sounds like from the PR [public relations] perspective they are sticking to their guns.

From The Daily Beast

By 1740, he was far enough removed from the theater to have a slightly different perspective on language.

From Project Gutenberg

This is what Kielland does, displaying in the doing of it, an uncommon delicacy of perception and accuracy of perspective.

From Project Gutenberg

He kept on grimly, however, never deviating from his perspective, which was the swampy ground on the outer curve of the bend.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't you remember the beautiful perspective drawing she made of this room for me to take to Oxford?

From Project Gutenberg

In after time we can correlate incidents and circumstances, viewing them in a perspective more or less correct.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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