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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

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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

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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

Harry Grant was another candidate with his probing from hooker, and Reece Walsh caught the eye with a hat-trick, and from Samoa's perspective captain Stephen Crichton led with quality and effort.

From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2026

The research also offers a different perspective on species commonly associated with farmland and other human-managed environments.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 7, 2026

“She’ll be able to argue from a perspective of expertise.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2026

Jerry will point out poetic elements of the songs, explain rhythm, similes and metaphors, internal rhymes, clichés, split perspective and different types of rhyme schemes.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 7, 2026

Why then did it take a further century to complete the transformation brought about by the mechanical reproduction of perspective images?

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

I haven’t committed to the strategy yet and would appreciate some independent perspectives.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026

“My friends from high school have such beautiful lives and unique perspectives on how to make the world better. Anytime where that’s we’re talking about, I’m like, ‘Ah, I’m a real person.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

The BBC's Madeline Halpert spoke New York City tourists, residents and horse carriage workers to get their perspectives on the industry and the ban.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

The Dark Star trilogy tells the same story from parallel perspectives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

Social pressures, stereotypes, and changing attitudes and perspectives can inhibit inclusion and lead to exclusionary practice.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

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Related Words

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

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