n.
Pronunciation: ' prä- ˌ spekt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin prospectus view, prospect, from prospicere to look forward, exercise foresight, from pro- forward + specere to look ― more at PRO- , SPY
Date: 15th century
1 : EXPOSURE 3B
2 a (1) : an extensive view (2) : a mental consideration : SURVEY b : a place that commands an extensive view : LOOKOUT c : something extended to the view : SCENE d archaic : a sketch or picture of a scene
3 obsolete : ASPECT
4 a : the act of looking forward : ANTICIPATION b : a mental picture of something to come : VISION c : something that is awaited or expected : POSSIBILITY d plural (1) : financial expectations (2) : CHANCES
5 : a place showing signs of containing a mineral deposit
6 a : a potential buyer or customer b : a likely candidate for a job or position
– in prospect : possible or likely for the future
synonyms PROSPECT , OUTLOOK , ANTICIPATION , FORETASTE mean an advance realization of something to come. PROSPECT implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern <the prospect of a quiet weekend>. OUTLOOK suggests a forecasting of the future <a favorable outlook for the economy>. ANTICIPATION implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen <the anticipation of her arrival>. FORETASTE implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming <the frost was a foretaste of winter>.