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Definition of prospective - 6 dictionary results

pro⋅spec⋅tive

  [pruh-spek-tiv]
Use prospective in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of or in the future: prospective earnings.
2. potential, likely, or expected: a prospective partner.
Origin:
1580–90; < LL prōspectīvus. See prospectus, -ive

Related forms:
pro⋅spec⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
pro⋅spec⋅tive⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To prospective
pro·spec·tive   (prə-spěk'tĭv)   
adj.  
  1. Likely or expected to happen.
  2. Likely to become or be: prospective clients.
pro·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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Prospective

Pro*spec"tive\, a. [L. prospectivus: cf. F. prospectif. See Prospect, n.]

1. Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect; perspective. [Obs.]

Time's long and dark prospective glass. --Milton.

2. Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; -- opposed to retrospective.

The French king of Sweden are circumspect, industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair. --Sir J. Child.

3. Being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a prospective benefit.

Points on which the promises, at the time of ordination, had no prospective bearing. --W. Jay.

Prospective

Pro*spec"tive\, n. 1. The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect. --Sir H. Wotton.

2. A perspective glass. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Beau. & Fl.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Main Entry: pro·spec·tive
Pronunciation: pr&-'spek-tiv, 'prä-"spek-
Function: adjective
1 : relating to or effective in the future prospective effect>
2 : likely to come about : expected to happen <prospective inability to perform the contract>
3 : likely to be or become prospective buyer> —pro·spec·tive·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: pro·spec·tive
Pronunciation: pr&-'spek-tiv
Function: adjective
: relating to or being a study (as of the incidence of disease)that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and follows them into the future —compare RETROSPECTIVE —pro·spec·tive·ly /-lE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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