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

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