perspective
perspective (pər-spĕkʹtĭv) noun
1. The technique of representing three-dimensional objects and depth relationships on a two-dimensional surface.
2. a. A view or vista. b. A mental view or outlook: "It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present" (Fabian Linden).
3. The appearance of objects in depth as perceived by normal binocular vision.
4. a. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective. b. Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view: the perspective of the displaced homemaker. c. The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance: tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.
adjective
Of, relating to, seen, or represented in perspective.
[Middle English, science of optics (influenced by French perspective, perspective, alteration of Italian prospettiva, from prospetto, new, from Latin prōspectus). See prospect, from Medieval Latin perspectīva (ars) feminine of perspectīvus, optical, from perspectus past participle of perspicere, to inspect : per-, per- + specere, to look.]
perspecʹtival adjective
perspecʹtively adverb