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perspective definition

per·spec·tive (pər spek′tiv)

adjective

  1. of perspective
  2. drawn in perspective

Etymology: 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

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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

perspective Synonyms

perspective

n.

  1. Viewpoint

    aspect, attitude, outlook; see viewpoint.

  2. Vista

    view, scene, prospect, panorama; see view 1, 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

perspective Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • eternity: All of us, from the perspective of eternity, have only a short time left to live.

Converse of object

  • differ: Only a synthesis of the differing perspectives brought by both professions will allow this new medium to remain viable.

Adjective modifier

  • theoretical: It will review the way evidence is treated from a variety of theoretical perspectives.

Modifies a noun

  • projection: That sharp contrast between the flat perspective projection and the spherical panorama would lose much of its phenomenal reality.

Noun used with modifier

  • gender: The area of gender studies clearly profits from independent development, but it is also necessary to integrate the gender perspective in existing disciplines.
perspective usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

perspective quotes

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade, just as paintingdoes,ormusic.If youarebornknowingthem,fine. If not, learn them.Then rearrangethe rulesto suit yourself.

-Capote,Truman

May I repeat what I told you here: treat nature by the cylinder, the sphere, the cone, everything in perspective.

-Ce¤  zanne, Paul

There isnothing ugly; I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it mayölight, shade and perspective will always make it beautiful.

-Constable,John

perspective quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"perspective." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/perspective>

APA Style

perspective. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/perspective

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