prospect

Noun · Verb

WordNet 3.0

Noun (5)

  1. the possibility of future success“his prospects as a writer are excellent”Synonyms: chance
  2. belief about (or mental picture of) the futureSynonyms: expectationoutlook
  3. someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.)Synonyms: candidate
  4. the visual percept of a region“the most desirable feature of the park are the beautiful views”Synonyms: viewaspectscenevistapanorama
  5. a prediction of the course of a diseaseSynonyms: prognosismedical prognosis

Verb (2)

  1. search for something desirable“prospect a job”
  2. explore for useful or valuable things or substances, such as minerals
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Prospect \Pros"pect\, n. [L. prospectus, fr. prospicere, prospectum, to look forward; pro before, forward + specere, spicere, look, to see: cf. OF. prospect. See Spy, v., and cf. Prospectus.]

1.That which is embraced by eye in vision; the region which the eye overlooks at one time; view; scene; outlook. [1913 Webster]

His eye discovers unaware The goodly prospect of some foreign land.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.Especially, a picturesque or widely extended view; a landscape; hence, a sketch of a landscape. [1913 Webster]

I went to Putney . . . to take prospects in crayon.— Evelyn.[1913 Webster]

3.A position affording a fine view; a lookout. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Him God beholding from his prospect high.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

4.Relative position of the front of a building or other structure; face; relative aspect. [1913 Webster]

And their prospect was toward the south.— Ezek. xl. 44.[1913 Webster]

5.The act of looking forward; foresight; anticipation; as, a prospect of the future state. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

Is he a prudent man as to his temporal estate, that lays designs only for a day, without any prospect to, or provision for, the remaining part of life ?— Tillotson.[1913 Webster]

6.That which is hoped for; ground for hope or expectation; expectation; probable result; as, the prospect of success. "To brighter prospects born." --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

These swell their prospectsd exalt their pride, When offers are disdain'd, and love deny'd.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

Prospect \Pros"pect\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prospected; p. pr. & vb. n. Prospecting.] To look over; to explore or examine for something; as, to prospect a district for gold. [1913 Webster]

Prospect \Pros"pect\, v. i. To make a search; to seek; to explore, as for mines or the like; as, to prospect for gold. [1913 Webster]

The Devil's Dictionary

PROSPECT, n. An outlook, usually forbidding. An expectation, usually forbidden.

Blow, blow, ye spicy breezes -- O'er Ceylon blow your breath, Where every prospect pleases, Save only that of death. Bishop Sheber

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