perspective English · revision 4503

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1380|origins=la perspicere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /pəˈspek.tɪv/, US /pɚˈspek.tɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|perspectif]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Old French perspective and directly [[der|la-med|perspectīva|t=(the art) of sight, optics]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) feminine of perspectīvus “of sight, optical”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from perspect-, past participle stem of Latin perspicere “to look through, look closely at”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) from per “through” and specere “to look at”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*speḱ-|alt=*spek-|t=to observe]].^(Etymonline) The artist's sense was influenced by Italian prospettiva, from prospetto “view”, from Latin prospectus, the source of [[prospect]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[spy]] and [[perspicacious]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The science of optics: about 1380 in the OED,^(OED 1989) before 1387 in Barnhart, in Trevisa's translation of Higden's Polychronicon,^(Barnhart 1988) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An optical instrument such as a spyglass is from about 1386;^(OED 1989) before telescope and microscope came into use, a perspective or perspective glass did their work.^(Trench 1859)^(OED 1989) The art of drawing solid objects on a flat surface so as to give an appearance of depth and distance is from 1598,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) by the 1590s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The figurative sense, a view in which the parts of a subject stand in the right relation to one another, is from 1605, in Bacon.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) A mental view or outlook is from 1762, in Goldsmith,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and a point of view from 1907, in The Education of Henry Adams.^(Barnhart 1988) According to Trench, the present use hardly dates back farther than Dryden.^(Trench 1859)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1380 – optics.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1386 – an optical instrument.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1598 – perspective drawing.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1605 – a proper proportion.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1762 – a mental outlook.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1907 – a point of view.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The technique of representing three-dimensional objects and depth on a flat surface.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A particular point of [[view]] or attitude.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The ability to judge things in their true relation or importance: ''keep things in perspective''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A view or [[vista]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or drawn in perspective.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[perspectival]]

+ * [[perspectively]]

+ * [[perspectived]]

+ * [[perspectiveless]]

+ * [[perspectivism]]

+ * [[aerial perspective]]

+ * [[two-point perspective]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[perspicacious]]

+ * [[perspicacity]]

+ * [[perspicuity]]

+ * [[perspicuous]]

+ * [[prospect]]

+ * [[spy]]

+ * [[inspect]]

+ * [[spectacle]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}