I. prəˈspektiv, -tēv also (ˈ)prä|s- or -təv sometimes prōˈs- adjective
Etymology: Late Latin prospectivus, from Latin prospectus (past participle of prospicere ) + -ivus -ive
1. archaic : commanding an extensive view
2. archaic : foresighted , forward-looking
3. : concerned with or relating to the future : effective in the future
the statute which I have proposed is solely prospective in its operation — Journal of Accountancy
4. : of the future : in prospect : expectant , expected
a prospective mother
a prospective teacher
a prospective heir
the announcement declaring his candidacy is prospective
• pro·spec·tive·ly -tə̇vlē, -tēv-, -li adverb
• pro·spec·tive·ness -tivnə̇s noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete : prospective glass
2. : a scenic picture : perspective
the scene again changed to a prospective of porticoes — E.K.Chambers
III. 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 herein