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per·spec·tive (pər spek′tiv)

adjective

  1. of perspective
  2. drawn in perspective

Origin: ME < LL perspectivus < L perspicere, to look through < per, through + specere, to look: see spy

noun

  1. the art of picturing objects or a scene in such a way, e.g., by converging lines (linear perspective), as to show them as they appear to the eye with reference to relative distance or depth
    1. the appearance of objects or scenes as determined by their relative distance and positions
    2. the effect of relative distance and position
  3. the relationship or proportion of the parts of a whole, regarded from a particular standpoint or point in time
    1. a specific point of view in understanding or judging things or events, esp. one that shows them in their true relations to one another
    2. the ability to see things in a true relationship
  5. a picture in perspective
  6. a distant view; vista

Origin: ME perspectif < ML (ars) perspectiva, perspective (art)

Related Forms:

per·spec·tive (pər-spĕkˈtĭv)

noun
  1. a. A view or vista.
    b. A mental view or outlook: “It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present” (Fabian Linden).
  2. The appearance of objects in depth as perceived by normal binocular vision.
  3. a. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective.
    b. Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view: the perspective of the displaced homemaker.
    c. The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance: tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.
  4. The technique of representing three-dimensional objects and depth relationships on a two-dimensional surface.
adjective
Of, relating to, seen, or represented in perspective.

Origin: Middle English, science of optics (influenced by French perspective, perspective), from Medieval Latin perspectīva (ars), feminine of perspectīvus, optical, from perspectus, past participle of perspicere, to inspect : per-, per- + specere, to look; see spek- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

  • per·specˈtiv·al adjective

Browse dictionary definitions near perspective

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  1. » perspective
  2. perspective (synonyms)
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  4. perspectively
  5. Perspex
  6. perspicacious
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  8. perspicaciously
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