Definitions for: Perspective


[n] the appearance of things relative to one another as determined by their distance from the viewer
[n] a way of regarding situations or topics etc.; "consider what follows from the positivist view"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.


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.

Synonyms: linear perspective, position, view

See Also: apparent horizon, appearance, bird's eye view, cutting edge, forefront, horizon, light, orientation, panoramic view, paradigm, picture plane, point of view, sensible horizon, sight, skyline, stand, standpoint, vanguard, vanishing point, viewpoint, visible horizon, visual aspect, Weltanschauung, world view

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