perspective definition | Dictionary.com

per⋅spec⋅tive

[per-spek-tiv]

–noun

1.	a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface. Compare aerial perspective, linear perspective.

2.	a picture employing this technique, esp. one in which it is prominent: an architect's perspective of a house.

3.	a visible scene, esp. one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on the main axis of an estate.

4.	the state of existing in space before the eye: The elevations look all right, but the building's composition is a failure in perspective.

5.	the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship: You have to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.

6.	the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship: Your data is admirably detailed but it lacks perspective.

7.	a mental view or prospect: the dismal perspective of terminally ill patients.

–adjective

8.	of or pertaining to the art of perspective, or represented according to its laws.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < ML perspectīva (ars) optical (science), perspectīvum optical glass, n. uses of fem. and neut. of perspectīvus optical, equiv. to L perspect-, ptp. s. of perspicere to look at closely (see per-, inspect ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:

per⋅spec⋅tiv⋅al, adjective

per⋅spec⋅tived, adjective

per⋅spec⋅tive⋅less, adjective

per⋅spec⋅tive⋅ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To perspective

per·spec·tive (pər-spěk'tĭv)

1. A view or vista.
2. A mental view or outlook: "It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present" (Fabian Linden).
3. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective.
4. Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view: the perspective of the displaced homemaker.
5. The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance: tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.
The appearance of objects in depth as perceived by normal binocular vision.
1. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective.
2. Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view: the perspective of the displaced homemaker.
3. The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance: tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.
The technique of representing three-dimensional objects and depth relationships on a two-dimensional surface.

adj. Of, relating to, seen, or represented in perspective.

[Middle English, science of optics (influenced by French perspective, perspective), from Medieval Latin perspectīva (ars), feminine of perspectīvus, optical, from perspectus, past participle of perspicere, to inspect : per-, per- + specere, to look; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]
per·spec'tiv·al adj., per·spec'tive·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Perspective

Per*spec"tive\, a. [L. perspicere, perspectum, to look through; per + spicere, specere, to look: cf. F. perspectif; or from E. perspective, n. See Spy, n.]

1. Of or pertaining to the science of vision; optical. [Obs.] --Bacon.

2. Pertaining to the art, or in accordance with the laws, of perspective.

Perspective plane, the plane or surface on which the objects are delineated, or the picture drawn; the plane of projection; -- distinguished from the ground plane, which is that on which the objects are represented as standing. When this plane is oblique to the principal face of the object, the perspective is called oblique perspective; when parallel to that face, parallel perspective.

Perspective shell (Zo["o]l.), any shell of the genus Solarium and allied genera. See Solarium.

Perspective

Per*spec"tive\, n. [F. perspective, fr. perspectif: cf. It. perspettiva. See Perspective, a.]

1. A glass through which objects are viewed. [Obs.] "Not a perspective, but a mirror." --Sir T. Browne.

2. That which is seen through an opening; a view; a vista. "The perspective of life." --Goldsmith.

3. The effect of distance upon the appearance of objects, by means of which the eye recognized them as being at a more or less measurable distance. Hence, a["e]rial perspective, the assumed greater vagueness or uncertainty of outline in distant objects.

A["e]rial perspective is the expression of space by any means whatsoever, sharpness of edge, vividness of color, etc. --Ruskin.

4. The art and the science of so delineating objects that they shall seem to grow smaller as they recede from the eye; -- called also linear perspective.

5. A drawing in linear perspective.

Isometrical perspective, an inaccurate term for a mechanical way of representing objects in the direction of the diagonal of a cube.

Perspective glass, a telescope which shows objects in the right position.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : perspective

Spanish: perspectiva,

German: die Perspektive,

Japanese: 遠近画法

More Translations »

perspective

In drawing or painting, a way of portraying three dimensions on a flat, two-dimensional surface by suggesting depth or distance.

perspective

c.1380, "science of optics," from O.Fr. perspective, from M.L. perspectiva ars "science of optics," from fem. of perspectivus "of sight, optical" from L. perspectus, pp. of perspicere "inspect, look through," from per- "through" + specere "look at" (see scope (1)). Sense of "art of drawing objects so as to give appearance of distance or depth" is first found 1598, influenced by It. prospettiva, an artists' term. The fig. meaning "mental outlook over time" is first recorded 1762.

perspective games
In computer games, the virtual position from which the human player views the playing area. There are three different perspectives: first person, second person, and third person.
First person perspective: Viewing the world through the eyes of the primary character in three dimensions. e.g. Doom, Quake.
Second person perspective: Viewing the game through a spectator's eyes, in two or three dimensions. Depending on the game, the main character is always in view. e.g. Super Mario Bros., Tomb Raider.
Third person perspective: a point of view which is independent of where characters or playing units are. The gaming world is viewed much as a satellite would view a battlefield. E.g. Warcraft, Command & Conquer.
(1997-06-19)

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