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Perspective comes from a Latin root meaning what?

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perspective

American  

[per-spek-tiv] / pərˈspɛk tɪv /

noun

• perspectives
  plural

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.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the art of perspective, or represented according to its laws.

perspective British  

/ 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

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perspective Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• perspectives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of perspective

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” ( see per-, inspect) + -īvus -ive

Explanation

Your perspective is the way you see something. If you think that toys corrupt children's minds, then from your perspective a toy shop is an evil place. Perspective has a Latin root meaning "look through" or "perceive," and all the meanings of perspective have something to do with looking. If you observe the world from a dog's perspective, you see through the dog's eyes. In drawing, perspective gives your drawing the appearance of depth or distance. If we say someone "has perspective," we mean she has a sensible outlook on life.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

perspective perspectives

"Whole genome sequencing has transformed our ability to not only look at adaptation from a perspective of how things diversify, but it has really important conservation value," Bowie said.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

Diversity of perspective is how a species grows.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

But Sedona, one of the great New Age capitals of the world, almost immediately shifted my perspective.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

“I no longer really care to post a ton of controversial opinions,” she said this week, “and my perspective changed on that because of the business partnership I was telling you guys about.”

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

Poncelet’s mathematics was the culmination of the work begun by the artists and architects of the fifteenth century, like Filippo Brunelleschi and Leonardo da Vinci, who discovered how to draw realistically—in perspective.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

"Even colours, some cities are brighter and warmer than others, so it changes people's perspectives on things," she says.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

Italy's far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said that although their "backgrounds and perspectives differed, that never prevented me from acknowledging her significance and her role in our nation's public life".

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

“Mother of Sorrows” tracks the ensuing investigation from the perspectives of multiple characters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

I’d really appreciate any thoughts or perspectives you have.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

“I suppose perspectives change based on events. What’s most important is that I hope this week will be better.”

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Related Words

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