prospective

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pɹəˈspɛktɪv/^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Middle French prospectif (obsolete) and directly Medieval Latin prōspectīvus (“affording a prospect”),^[2][3][4] from the past participle stem of Latin prōspiciō (“to look out on, look forward”) (see prospect),^[2][4] from prō (“forward”) and speciō (“to look at”), from Proto-Indo-European *spek- (“to observe”).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

As a noun, a magic mirror, before 1430 in the OED.^[5] The adjective, looking to the future, is from the 1580s in Etymonline and about 1590 in the OED;^[2][5] Merriam-Webster dates a sense to 1581.^[4]

Semantic evolution

Affording a fine view, and so elevated, is from 1588,^[5] and suitable for viewing at a distance from 1603.^[5] As a noun it meant an outlook or view (1590s) and a spyglass or telescope (17th century).^[2][5] Operative with regard to the future is from 1800,^[5] and expected, in prospect, as in a prospective buyer, by 1829.^[2][5]

Timeline

• before 1430 – a magic mirror.^[5]
• c. 1590 – looking forward.^[5]
• 1630 – a telescope (noun).^[5]
• 1829 – expected, likely.^[2][5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Likely or expected to be or happen; potential: a prospective buyer.
2. Looking towards or relating to the future.

Word family

• prospectively
• prospectiveness

Related words

• prospect
• prospector
• prospectus
• spectacle
• perspective

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press