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REFERENCE

perspective

n. · adj.
US //pɝˈspɛktɪv// UK //pəspˈɛktɪv// per·spec·tive
  1. 1 point of view (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    a particular way of thinking about something, often influenced by your own experiences.

    a specific cognitive orientation or mental outlook used to evaluate or interpret a situation.

    Example

    Traveling to different countries gave her a new perspective on her own culture.

    Example

    The historian argued that we must examine the conflict from the perspective of the local population rather than relying solely on official government reports.
  2. 2 art technique (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Theatre

    the method of drawing or painting that makes objects look three-dimensional and far away.

    the technique of representing three-dimensional spatial relationships on a two-dimensional plane.

    Example

    The artist used perspective to make the long road look like it disappeared into the distance.

    Example

    Renaissance painters mastered linear perspective, allowing them to create a convincing illusion of depth that had been absent in medieval art.
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  1. 3 sense of proportion (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the ability to judge which things are truly important and which are not.

    the capacity to view things in their true relationship or relative importance.

    Example

    He was so upset about the broken plate that he lost all perspective on the situation.

    Example

    After the crisis had passed, the manager was able to regain her perspective and realise that the minor delays would not affect the project's ultimate success.
  2. 4 a physical view (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a view or scene stretching into the distance.

    a visible scene or vista, especially one that provides a sense of distance.

    Example

    From the top of the hill, a beautiful perspective of the valley opened up before us.

    Example

    The long avenue of oak trees created a grand perspective that led the eye directly toward the palace gates.
  3. 5 relating to perspective (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    relating to the way things are seen or drawn to show depth.

    pertaining to the art or science of representing depth and spatial relationships.

    Example

    The architect showed us a perspective drawing of the new office building.

    Example

    The student struggled with the perspective geometry required to accurately render the complex architectural arches.

Origin

From Middle English perspective, perspectif, attested since 1381, from Old French or Middle French, from the first word of the Medieval Latin perspectiva ars (“science of optics”), the feminine of Latin perspectivus (“of sight, optical”), from perspectus, the past participle of perspicere (“to inspect, look through”), itself from per- (“through”) + specere (“to look at”); the noun sense was influenced or mediated by Italian prospettiva, from prospetto (“prospect”).

Idioms1 entry

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