[pros.pect] n [ME, fr. L prospectus view, prospect, fr. prospicere to look forward, exercise foresight, fr. pro- forward + specere to look--more at pro-, spy] (15c) 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 obs: 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 pl (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 -- in prospect : possible or likely for the future syn 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".
[2]pros.pect vi (1841): to explore an area esp. for mineral deposits ~ vt: to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits; broadly: explore -- pros.pec.tor n