Etymologically
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prospective

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 16:12. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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

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