n.
- the art of representing three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to convey the impression of height, width, depth, and relative distance.
▸the appearance of viewed objects with regard to their relative position, distance from the viewer, etc.:
a trick of perspective.
- a view or prospect.
- a particular way of regarding something.
- understanding of the relative importance of things:
we must keep a sense of perspective about what he's done.
- an apparent spatial distribution in perceived sound.
Derivative
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘optics’): from med. L. perspectiva (ars) ‘(science of) optics’, from perspect-, perspicere ‘look at closely’.