prospectn.
/ˈprɒspɛkt/, U.S. /ˈprɑˌspɛk(t)/ I. Senses relating to the physical action of looking or facing out or forward.† 2. The appearance presented by anything; aspect. Also figurative. Obsolete.† 4. Short for prospect-glass n. at Compounds 2. Obsolete.† 5. A pictorial representation of a scene, etc.; a picture or sketch. Obsolete.
1. † d. concrete. A place which affords an open and extensive view; a lookout. Obsolete.
a. The action or fact of looking forward or out, or of seeing to a distance; the condition (of a building, or station of any kind) of facing or being so situated as to have its front in a specified direction; outlook, aspect, exposure.In later use merging with sense 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > [noun] > aspect or direction faced > fact of facing a direction
prospect?a1475
frontage1859
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > [noun] > condition of having view
prospect?a1475
prospectiveness1817
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > [noun] > looking out
prospective1601
prospect1691
outlooking1846
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 147 (MED) The water of Cilicia..hathe prospecte ageyne [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. streccheþ toward; L. prospicit contra] the yle of Cipresse.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1869) II. 11 (MED) Briteyne is putte betwene the ocean, as with owte the worlde, sette as vn to the prospecte of Speyne [L. ad prospectum Hispaniæ].
1560 Bible (Geneva) Ezek. xl. 44 Without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inwarde courte..and their prospect was towarde the South.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 119 [Armenia] confineth vpon the Medians, and hath a prospect to the Caspian sea.
1680 E. Borlase Hist. Execrable Irish Rebellion 231 The Marquess discovered (from some Place of prospect in the Town) a strong Party of Horse, marching in good order.
1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God 153 This [erect] Figure is most convenient for Prospect and looking about one.
1759 tr. G. Le Blond Mil. Engineer II. 15 The windows of the powder-magazines should have no prospect towards the beseigers.
1854 J. H. Stocqueler Hand-bk. Brit. India (ed. 3) 265 The atmosphere tolerably clear,..and the prospect, for the most part, clear and open: this is the autumn, if autumn there be at Dorjeling.
a1902 S. Butler Way of All Flesh (1903) xiv. 62 The Rectory was commodious, and placed on the brow of a hill which gave it a delightful prospect.
1976 Times 22 Apr. 10/6 Main residence with superlative southerly prospect.
b. The view (of a landscape, etc.) afforded by a particular location or position; a vista; an extensive or commanding range of sight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun] > view or scenery > general or extensive
prospect1538
respect1542
general1612
lookout1779
panorama1802
synopsis1844
God's-eye view1865
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Prospectus..a syght farre of, a prospecte.
1594 J. Norden Speculum Brit. (Camden) 23 A..howse of pleasure vpon the topp of a mount..: it is seene farr of, and hath most large and pleasant perspecte [sic].
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 216 [St Helena] giues a large prospect into the Ocean.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 88 I..underneath beheld The Earth outstretcht immense, a prospect wide And various. View more context for this quotation
1756 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. I. 362 An eminence, which, besides a very grand prospect towards Alessandria, commands on all sides an extent of country of near seventy miles.
1778 M. Cutler Jrnl. 15 Aug. in W. P. Cutler & J. P. Cutler Life, Jrnls. & Corr. M. Cutler (1888) I. 68 I had a fine prospect of the whole army as it moved off.
1818 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) II. ii. 23 There is but one place in all Berkshire which has a really fine commanding prospect.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. vii. 49 The prospect was exceedingly fine.
1934 R. Lynd Both Sides of Road xi. 70 From the balcony of a third-floor bedroom there is such a prospect to be seen as must be rare in any European city.
1988 Holiday Which? May 133/2 The..plateaux..give way to a..drop, and a long sweeping prospect..to the Gulf of Aqaba.
2005 Sunday Times (Nexis) 5 June (Travel section) 8 The main lodge has two wide viewing decks overlooking a water hole, with a commanding prospect of the veldt beyond.
c. in (also within, into) prospect: within or into sight or view. Also figurative. Now rare (but cf. sense 7c).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adverb] > in sight
in sight1377
there1535
in (full) view of1548
in prospect1555
in vista1786
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. iii. f. 13 Within the prospecte of the begynnynge of Cuba [L. in cuius prospectu in Hispaniolae angulo extremo], he founde a commodious hauen.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iv. i. 231 Euery louely Organ of her life, Shall come..Into the eie and prospect of his soule. View more context for this quotation
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. iii. 166 The Knight..Was now in prospect of the Mansion.
1685 R. Baxter Paraphr. New Test. Matt. iv. 8 By all Kingdoms is meant, many that were within prospect.
1740 C. Leslie New Hist. Jamaica v. 134 A little while after, they came within Prospect of the highest Steeple of Panama.
a1750 A. Hill Snake in Grass (1760) 113 Don't..forget what might be proper to say to an audience, now you are brought within prospect of getting one.
a1771 T. Gray tr. T. Tasso in Wks. (1814) II. 90 Nor yet in prospect rose the distant shore.
1824 T. Campbell Theodric 131 Yon phantom's aspect..would appal thee worse, Held in clearly measured prospect.
1920 N.E.D. at Vistaed Seen as it were in prospect by the imagination.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > [noun] > place where extensive view obtained
prospect1587
prospectivec1616
top (also turret) of speculation1653
outlook1667
observatory1695
panopticon1836
1587 A. Day tr. J. Amyot Daphnis & Chloe sig. L4 Thy groues and pleasant shadie topps, Thy christall springs and scituate hie prospects.
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cii. 65 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 153 From the prospect of thy heau'nly hall Thy eye of earth suruey did take.
1611 T. Coryate Crudities sig. O3v People may from that place as from a most delectable prospect contemplate and view the parts of the City round about them.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 77 Him God beholding from his prospect high,..Thus..spake. View more context for this quotation
1681 C. Cotton Wonders of Peake 82 Upon a Terrass, as most Houses high, Though from this prospect humble to your eye.
1885 Bible (R.V.) 1 Kings vii. 4 And there were prospects [1611 windowes] in three rows, and light was over against light in three ranks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun]
onseneeOE
bleea1000
shapeOE
ylikeOE
laitc1175
semblanta1225
sightc1275
fare1297
showingc1300
specea1325
parelc1330
guise1340
countenance1362
semblance?a1366
apparel1377
regardc1380
apparencec1384
imagec1384
spicec1384
overseeminga1398
kenninga1400
seemingc1400
visage1422
rinda1450
semenauntc1450
'pearance1456
outwardc1475
representation1489
favour?a1500
figurea1522
assemblant1523
prospect?1533
respect1535
visure1545
perceiverance1546
outwardshine1549
view1556
species1559
utter-shape1566
look1567
physiognomy1567
face1572
paintry1573
visor1575
mienc1586
superficies?1589
behaviour1590
aspect1594
complexion1597
confrontment1604
show1604
aira1616
beseeminga1616
formality1615
resemblancea1616
blush1620
upcomea1630
presentment1637
scheme1655
sensation1662
visibility1669
plumage1707
facies1727
remark1748
extrinsica1797
exterior1801
showance1820
the cut of one's jib1823
personnel1839
personal appearance1842
what-like1853
look-see1898
outwall1933
visuality1938
prosopon1947
?1533–4 R. Saltwood Compar. bytwene iiij. Byrdes sig. D iiijv A parke vernaunt, plesauntly paled..Fayre in prospect, a place of miratyon.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 403 It were a tedious difficulty I thinke, To bring em to that prospect . View more context for this quotation
1709 E. Singer Love & Friendship 36 in Prior's Poems On the Plain when she no more appears, The Plain a dark and gloomy Prospect wears.
c1720 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture IV. i. iii. 8 By Prospect is understood the first show or appearance that a Temple makes to such as approach it... Those which have their Porticos onely in front, may be said to have the Prospect Prostylos.
a1817 J. Austen Persuasion (1818) IV. viii. 161 To Anne, it chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation. View more context for this quotation
a1867 F.-G. Halleck Poet. Writings (1869) 225 Let life a cheerful prospect wear, Uncurtained by thy clouds' despair!
3.
a. That which is viewed from a particular location or position; a spectacle, sight, or scene.Originally denoting any scene or sight; later usually with implication of distance, and hence merging with 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun] > view or scenery
regardc1500
prospect1573
discovery1587
prospective1599
view1606
perspective1612
landscape?a1645
vista1657
coup d'œil1739
scape1773
survey1821
outlook1828
eyeshot1860
outscape1868
1573 I. Whitney Sweet Nosgay sig. Aviv And sence that time, I ech day once Haue viewd that braue prospect.
a1634 W. Austin Devotionis Augustinianæ Flamma (1635) 278 What a prospect is a well-furnish'd Table?
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. J. Albert de Mandelslo 58 in Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors The windows of all the houses..were beset with Lamps, before which were placed Vessels of Glass fill'd with waters of several colours, which made a very delightful prospect.
1693 Humours & Conversat. Town 3 I had rather look up to see the welcome prospect of your House.
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 25 Aug. (1948) I. 344 He is ravished with Kent, which was his first prospect when he landed.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1763 I. 231 [Johnson:] The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England.
1859 C. Dickens Let. 31 May (1997) IX. 71 A snug room looking over a Kentish prospect.
1898 H. G. Wells War of Worlds i. xv. 145 The earth under the blue sky and against the prospect of the distant hills a velvet black expanse.
1950 R. Macaulay World my Wilderness ix. 83 She did not care for the distant prospect of the Highlands; still less as it neared and acquired focus and clarity.
1992 New Republic 18 May 48/3 The summer days pass, made dreamy by the prospect of distant boats on the bay.
b. In Russia: a long, wide street; an avenue or boulevard. Frequently in the name of a particular street or avenue.An English rendering of prospekt n.: see the etymology.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > street > [noun] > wide > in Spain, Russia, Italy
rambla1779
prospekt1836
prospect1844
viale1969
1844 Sandusky (Ohio) Clarion 30 Nov. The assassinations were..perpetrated..in the Nevsky Prospect, the most populous street in St. Petersburgh.
1866 Times 13 Nov. 10/4 I was retracing my steps home when a carriage drove past... It quickly rolled along the Prospect.
1896 C. Garnett tr. I. Turgenev Smoke iv. 27 He exclaimed on the Poznesensky Prospect in the hearing of all the world that all the liberals ought to be in prison.
1943 E. M. Almedingen Frossia i. 19 Frossia plodded on down the wide Lityney Prospect.
1999 B. Nathans in E. Mendelsohn People of City 109 Nevsky Prospect, easily the most cosmopolitan, European boulevard in the entire city.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instrument for distant vision > [noun]
glass1616
prospective glass1616
prospect-glass1617
prospectivea1635
prospect1639
spying-glass1682
spyglass1707
1639 R. Baillie Let. 28 Sept. (1841) I. 210 The King himself beholding us through a prospect, conjectured us to be sixteen or eighteen thousand men.
1685 Burnet Lett. (1686) iii. 169 I looked at this Statue..through a little prospect that I carried with me.
1743 D. Hume Rise Arts & Sci. in Ess. & Treat. (1817) I. 106 A man may as reasonably pretend to cure himself of love, by viewing his mistress through the artificial medium of a microscope or prospect.
1838 W. Scrope Art Deer-stalking 151 So now wipe my glass—no, not the whiskey glass, man, but the prospect, as you call it.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > painting according to subject > [noun] > landscape-painting > a landscape or view
landscape1598
prospective1638
prospect1656
view1662
surveya1684
scenery1814
1656 W. Dugdale (title) The antiquities of Warwickshire..beautified with maps, prospects and portraictures.
1695 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 19 110 We have since procured a Curious Prospect of these Noble Ruines, taken on the Place.
1708 Chamberlayne's Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (1737) ii. iii. x. 435 The Prospects of it [sc. the Bass], as represented in Slezer's Theatrum Scotiæ, will sufficiently shew the Difficulty of Access to it.
1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. iii. 105 His works are mentioned in the royal catalogue, particularly prospects of his majesty's houses in Scotland.
II. Senses relating to looking forward mentally or metaphorically.
6. A mental picture or vista, esp. of something future or expected.In origin a figurative use of 1b; now usually passing into broader sense at 7b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > mental image, idea, or fancy > [noun] > mental view
one's mind's eyec1390
prospect1528
vista1673
1528 T. Wyatt tr. Plutarch Quyete of Mynde sig. dij With this goodlynesse & prospecte begynnyng truely our lyfe, it must be full of surety and of ouerspred gladsomnesse.
1563 W. Fulke (title) A goodly gallerye with a most pleasaunt prospect into the garden of naturall contemplation.
1642 J. Denham Sophy v. 40 Man to himselfe Is a large prospect.
1682 N. Grew Idea Philos. Hist. Plants 23 in Anat. Plants How far soever we go, yet the surmounting of one difficulty, is wont still to give us the prospect of another.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. Concl. 135 All Expectation of immortality,..opens an unbounded Prospect to our Hopes and our Fears.
1785 T. Balguy Disc. Various Subj. 26 True knowledge will perpetually mortify us with the prospect of our own weakness and ignorance.
1821 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. in Writings (1984) 29 The idea..will open to our view future prospects of war & dissension among ourselves.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 95/1 The torch which illuminated the path of the youth, and opened new prospects to his eager views.
1944 V. L. Posdunne in Trans. Inst. Naval Architects 86 138/1 The phenomenon of supercavitation opens wide prospects in marine propeller design.
7.
a. Forethought; consideration or knowledge of something in the future. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > [noun]
foreshowinga1050
foreknowingc1374
foreseeingc1374
fore-wit1377
before-knowingc1384
presciencec1384
fore-wittingc1386
presciencec1395
foresight14..
previdence?a1425
prevision?a1425
prenostication?a1450
precognitiona1500
before-witting1532
foreknowledge1535
fore-fetch1554
presciency1572
fore-wisdom1576
prenotion1588
presension1597
prospecta1616
presensation1653
prospiciency1681
prevoyance1767
onsight1838
preview1855
precog1954
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. iii. 72 To be King, Stands not within the prospect of beleefe. View more context for this quotation
1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura iv. 102 Not..without Prospect had to the benefit of such as will be glad of instruction.
1703 W. Burkitt Expos. Notes New Test. John xix. 22 The Providence of God hath a Prospect beyond the Understanding of all Creatures.
1779 S. Johnson Dryden in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets III. 229 His prospect of the advancement which it [sc. navigation] shall receive from the Royal Society.
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. viii. 182 It was a Pisgah, not of prospect, but of retrospect.
1972 Language 48 422 Lyons, I think, is judging the matter in retrospect, and a bit in prospect.
b. Expectation, or reason to look forward to something; the thing anticipated, a future occasion or event; (in plural) a person's expectations of advancement in life or career.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > [noun]
to-hopec888
weenOE
hopea1225
thoughta1350
opiniona1425
attentc1430
looking1440
presume?a1500
beliefa1522
expectation1527
expection1532
looking for1532
looking after?1537
expecting1568
imagination1582
expectance1593
suppose1596
expect1597
expectancy1609
apprehensiona1616
contemplationa1631
prospect1665
supposition1719
speculationa1797
augury1871
preperception1871
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > [noun] > object of
bidinga1382
expectation1598
outsight1606
prospect1665
view1689
perspective1742
lookout1792
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis ii. 281 For the future, nothing remained, but a prospect [L. prospectum] of Tyranny and slavery.
1667 A. Marvell Let. 14 Nov. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 60 If any thing be particularly in your prospects..you will do well to give us timely advice.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 43 Doing my self good in a fair and plain pursuit of those Prospects and those measures of Life, which Nature and Providence concurred to present me with.
1775 S. Johnson Let. 3 July (1992) II. 237 Our gay prospects have..ended in melancholy retrospects.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 535 The prospect which lay before Monmouth was not a bright one.
1881 J. A. Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. ii. iii. 196 He was careless about his personal prospects.
1932 Handbk. Univ. Oxford 103 An overseas application made..a few weeks before the beginning of the academic year has little or no prospect of success.
1976 K. Amis Let. 21 Nov. (2000) 819 P..turned up the other day and was very funny about his prospects for the Nobel Prize.
2005 R. Tope Cotswold Killing xvi. 236 The world turned grey, there was no prospect of a better future, nobody cared about her.
c. in prospect: within the bounds of expectation; expected, or to be expected; within view.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > [adjective] > expected
futurec1374
in a possibility1523
forestalled1543
looked-for1548
anticipatec1550
expected1558
long-looked-for1562
looked1565
in expectation1570
expectable1619
expecting1621
in perspective1633
unsurprising1671
in prospect1694
perspective1710
in prospective1746–7
prospective1809
anticipated1814
presumable1825
anticipatable1872
ex ante1937
1694 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding (new ed.) ii. xxi. 135 A little burning felt pushes us more powerfully, than greater pleasures in prospect draw or allure.
1725 New Canting Dict. Carriers, a Sett of Rogues..employ'd to look out, and watch upon the Roads, at Inns, &c., in order to carry Information to their respective Gangs, of a booty in Prospect.
1779 E. Burke Corr. (1844) II. 286 Every thing in prospect appears to me so very gloomy.
1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) iv. 55 Allen longed to..forget all that had been done, and all that was in prospect.
a1894 R. L. Stevenson In South Seas (1896) iii. iv. 254 Our talk that morning must have closely reproduced the talk in English garrisons before the Sepoy mutiny; the sturdy doubt that any mischief was in prospect, [etc.].
1949 Sun (Baltimore) 17 Oct. 1/5 Some proponents of the B-36 now predict that with ‘cruise control’..a range of 12,000 miles or more is in prospect.
1991 Independent 5 Jan. 25/1 I am writing on the last day of a depressing 1990, with a frightening 1991 in prospect.
d. A person who or thing which may be suitable for a particular purpose, or successful in a particular role; (in early use esp.) a potential or likely purchaser, customer, client, etc.; a candidate.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > buying > buyer > [noun] > customer or client > prospective customer
prospect1904
up1942
1904 System June 459/1 My numerical files at present run over 20,000 ‘prospects’.
1922 Glasgow Herald 19 Dec. 8/8 I consider my bull calves excellent prospects for next season's fairs.
1922 S. Lewis Babbitt vi. 68 He drove a ‘prospect’ out to view a four-flat tenement in the Linton district.
1923 ‘B. M. Bower’ Parowan Bonanza viii. 95 A prospector is, paradoxically, not a good prospect for a girl.
1958 L. J. Lickorish & A. G. Kershaw Travel Trade vii. 236 The ultimate purpose of both paid advertising and ‘editorial’ publicity is to increase the number of prospects who will buy the tickets and tours offered by the travel trade.
1967 N. Freeling Strike Out 49 A bank manager..would certainly regard her as a good prospect for a mortgage.
1976 Daily Mirror 16 July 5/5 Carter men even checked the health and mental stability of the final six vice-presidential prospects.
1993 Hockey News (Toronto) 5 Feb. 4/1 He and Newmarket Royals' center Jason Bonsignore are considered the two best prospects in North America.
e. slang. A selected victim of a thief or pickpocket, a mark. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > tribulation, trouble, or affliction > wretched person > a victim or one sacrificed for any reason
oblation1594
sacrifice1697
victim1718
prospect1931
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > duping, making a fool of > [noun] > gullible person, dupe
foola1382
woodcockc1430
geckc1530
cousinc1555
cokes1567
milch cow1582
gudgeon1584
coney1591
martin1591
gull1594
plover1599
rook1600
gull-finch1604
cheatee1615
goata1616
whirligig1624
chouse1649
coll1657
cully1664
bubble1668
lamb1668
Simple Simon?1673
mouth1680
dupe1681
cull1698
bub1699
game1699
muggins1705
colour1707
milk cow1727
flat1762
gulpin1802
slob1810
gaggee1819
sucker1838
hoaxee1840
softie1850
foozle1860
lemon1863
juggins1882
yob1886
patsy1889
yapc1894
fall guy1895
fruit1895
meemaw1895
easy mark1896
lobster1896
mark1896
wise guy1896
come-on1897
pushover1907
John1908
schnookle1908
Gretchen1913
jug1914
schnook1920
soft touch1924
prospect1931
steamer1932
punter1934
dill1941
Joe Soap1943
possum1945
Moreton Bay1953
easy touch1959
1931 ‘D. Stiff’ Milk & Honey Route viii. 91 Always approach a male prospect from the rear.
1937 E. H. Sutherland Professional Thief iii. 68 The lemon is an agreement between the inside man, an expert pool player, and a prospect, by which the prospect will win bets on the pool games played by the expert. Through a supposed fluke the expert wins the game which the prospect had bet he would lose, and the prospect thereby loses his money.
8. A mental view, survey, or inspection; an account or description. Now rare.In later use chiefly in the titles of works containing such a survey.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun]
inspection1390
search1415
probationc1422
ensearchingc1430
surview1432
enserchise1436
overseeingc1449
sight1452
hearkeninga1483
discuting1483
ensearcha1509
inquiry1512
upsightc1515
perusing1556
perpending1558
overlooking1565
interview1567
trial1575
peruse1578
visitation1583
perspective?a1586
overviewing1590
looking over1599
sounding1599
perusal1604
supervise1604
disquisition1605
expiscation1605
prospect1625
ravellinga1626
disquiry1628
disquisitive1660
perpendment1667
inspecting1788
sleuthing1900
casing1928
the mind > language > speech > narration > [noun] > a narrative or account
talec1200
historyc1230
sawc1320
tellinga1325
treatisec1374
chroniclec1380
process?1387
legendc1390
prosec1390
pistlec1395
treatc1400
relationc1425
rehearsal?a1439
report?a1439
narrationc1449
recorda1450
count1477
redec1480
story1489
recount1490
deductiona1532
repetition1533
narrative1539
discourse1546
account1561
recital1561
enarrative1575
legendary1577
enarration1592
recite1594
repeat1609
texture1611
recitation1614
rendera1616
prospect1625
recitement1646
tell1743
diegesis1829
récit1915
narrative line1953
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 4 ‘To see the Errours..in the vale below’: So alwaies, that this prospect, be with Pitty.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life Henry VIII (1649) 10 Our King being thus setled in his Throne, took severall prospects upon all his Neighbouring Princes.
1677 tr. A.-N. Amelot de La Houssaie Hist. Govt. Venice 266 Let us now take a Prospect of their Governours, I mean, consider the Manners and Maxims of their Nobility.
a1718 W. Penn Tracts in Wks. (1726) I. 248 I take a Serious Prospect of the Spiritual Nature and Tendency of the Second Covenant.
1764 O. Goldsmith (title) The traveller; or, a prospect of society.
1800 B. Waterhouse (title) A prospect of exterminating the small-pox; being the history of the..kine-pox, commonly called the cow-pox.
1954 E. Watkins (title) Prospect of Canada.
1989 T. Aldous et al. (title) A prospect of Westminster: the continuing development of this historic city.
9. Mining.
a. An area considered likely to yield a mineral deposit that could be suitable for commercial exploitation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral sources > [noun] > indicators of presence
mother of gold1596
show1600
shoad1602
squad1674
prospect1709
indication1855
showing1877
lode-light1883
indicator1894
society > occupation and work > workplace > places where raw materials are extracted > mine > [noun] > area giving prospect of mineral deposit
prospect1709
1709 T. Robinson Ess. Nat. Hist. Westmorland & Cumberland xv. 87 A Vein of Iron, which in the Opinion of the judicious Mr.Shaw,..was as rich a Prospect as was in England.
1832 Illustr. Monthly Mag. May 368 This is a pretty good prospect—this looks well, to be sure—a right smart chance of metal.
1839 F. Marryat Diary in Amer. II. 129 Finders..would search all over the country for what they called a good prospect, that is, every appearance on the surface of a good vein of metal.
1895 Daily News 11 July 5/4 This demand [in California] is more for developed properties than for mere ‘prospects’ which may or may not become mines.
1928 A. T. Walden Dog-Puncher on Yukon 27 On his way from his ‘prospect’ to the ‘outside’ this man saw his fellow men for the first time at the mines.
1975 Offshore Sept. 73/1 Finding oil and natural gas at prospect Cognac off the Louisiana coast, whether the field turns out to be large or not, is an important reminder of what this offshore exploration business is all about.
1992 Up Here (Yellowknife, N.W. Territories) Oct. 47/3 Whenever things were quiet he'd be off to check out prospects he'd noted from the air.
b. An investigation of the mineral resources of a locality or of the quality of the material from which ore, etc., is extracted; a preliminary mine or drilling used to evaluate the mineral deposits of an area.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > mining > [noun] > prospecting
gold-finding1583
prospecting1848
prospect1850
mine-hunting1874
prospection1874
1850 San Francisco Picayune 11 Sept. 2/4 The bed of the river, from the ‘prospects’ which have been made, indicate that if the stream is turned by the canal, the fortunes of those interested are by no means questionable.
1855 Argus (Melbourne) 10 Jan. 4/6 The result of a few prospects that have been made at a spot..has been very satisfactory.
1953 M. S. Wolle Bonanza Trail vii. 321 All the mines and prospects were within four miles of camp, up the mountainsides or on branches of Pine Creek.
1994 Up Here (Yellowknife, N.W. Territories) Mar. 9/1 In 1929 I worked at ‘Flintoba Mines’ (as I recall we went down at least 20 feet—just a ‘prospect’).
c. A sample of ore or alluvial deposit for testing. Also: the resulting yield of ore or metal (esp. gold).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > mineral material > ore > [noun] > sample or yield of ore
prospect1851
1851 D. B. Woods Sixteen Months at Gold Diggings 52 If less gold is found, the miner digs deeper or opens a new hole, till he finds a place affording a good prospect.
1879 R. J. Atcherley Trip to Boërland 115 The thrill of pleasure..with which the digger contemplates his first good ‘prospect’ in the pan. There they are—some bright and yellow, others inky black, little rounded nuggets of every shape.
1891 Melbourne Age 2 Sept. 5/3 The average prospect will not exceed from 2 to 6 oz. per dish.
1962 D. Stuart Yaralie vi. 71 She got good prospects almost as soon as she started loaming. By..an hour or so before sundown they had it, a rich leader, a handspan wide, shot through with the dull yellow of gold.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a. (In sense 1d.)† prospect-ground n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1851 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad xxii. 406 They rushed by the prospect-ground [Gk. σκοπιὴν] and the wind-waving fig-tree.
1870 W. G. Caldcleugh tr. Homer Iliad 390 Then by the Prospect-ground [Gk. σκοπιὴν] they steered their course.
prospect tower n.
ΚΠ
c1800 C. Middleton (title) Decorations for parks and gardens. Designs for gates, garden seats, alcoves..lodges, facades, prospect towers, cattle sheds, ruins, bridges, greenhouses.
1822 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Gardening ii. iii. 399 The prospect-tower is a noble object.
1996 Amer. Art 10 26 Jefferson and John Adams visited the ornamental gardens at Stowe..in 1786, and they may have climbed the prospect tower Lord Cobham had erected.
b. (In sense 9.)
prospect hole n.
ΚΠ
1846 Independent Amer. & Gen. Advertiser (Platteville, Wisconsin Territory) 30 Oct. All persons are hereby forbid digging mineral or prospect holes, in the road.
1877 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 303 Most of these are as yet mere prospect-holes, and can boast of but little rich ore.
1962 Brit. Columbia Digest Oct. 28/2 The prospector..will..study and locate the creek wash,..so as to know where to sink his prospect holes in the winter.
1988 Technol. & Culture 29 304 Only in the last generation..has Colorado mining history lured serious research scholars, who have subsequently dissected it in all its variety—from Aspen to Victor, and from the prospect hole to the miner's union hall.
prospect operation n.
ΚΠ
1875 D. H. Tyrell Rep. in R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining (1877) 196 Hence our prospect-operations for the past year have been confined exclusively to the western portion.
prospect pan n.
ΚΠ
1862 Times 25 Sept. 10 John McDonald and his partner took out 69oz. [of ore] in a prospect pan.
1880 G. Sutherland Tales of Goldfields 12 He stood up with the dripping prospect-pan in his hand.
1916 J. London End of Story in Turtles of Tasman ii. 242 Ain't ben a prospect pan washed the whole winter.
prospect shaft n.
ΚΠ
1873 Overland Monthly Dec. 504/1 It was a region pitted with prospect-shafts.
1939 K. Pinkerton Wilderness Wife iii. 37 The mine itself was only a prospect shaft.
2004 R. Lenon et al. Seems Like only Yesterday I. 111 A sollar is a flat underground platform. This one was as much as 100 feet down in the prospect shaft.
prospect work n.
ΚΠ
1880 Weekly Gaz. (Colorado) 2 Oct. 1/3 Then followed the miners' strike, by which all paying mines were promptly closed, as well as most of the prospect work.
1882 Rep. Precious Metals (U.S. Bureau of Mint) 290 Prospect work is all that has thus far been done.
1973 D. A. Smith Horace Tabor (1989) viii. 143 Critics now attacked from all sides. Prospect work had been sadly neglected, shouted some.
C2. † prospect-glass n. Obsolete = prospective glass n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instrument for distant vision > [noun]
glass1616
prospective glass1616
prospect-glass1617
prospectivea1635
prospect1639
spying-glass1682
spyglass1707
1617 Fight at Sea sig. A iij Who in a prospect glasse perceiued them to bee the Turkes Men of Warre.
a1871 T. Carlyle in J. W. Carlyle Lett. & Memorials (1883) I. 257 Susan..had, from her windows, with a prospect-glass, singled me out on the..deck of the steamer.
1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders iv. 39 The most part of us were out on the heuchs (cliffs), looking to seaward with my father's old prospect-glass.
prospect-hunter n. (a) a person who seeks out an extensive or beautiful view or prospect; (b) a person who seeks out a mining prospect.
ΚΠ
1803 D. Wordsworth Jrnl. 27 Aug. (1941) I. 271 The ferryman... would often say, after he had compassed the turning of a point, ‘This is a bonny part,’ and he always chose the bonniest, with greater skill than our prospect-hunters and ‘picturesque travellers’.
1842 G. T. Vigne Trav. Kashmir I. ix. 289 The interest taken in a view of the mere plains of Kashmir would certainly be rather that of the agriculturalist than of the prospect-hunter.
1859 Debow's Rev. Aug. 224 Our prospect-hunters hired an open 30 ton native boat, manned by Africans, from the Dankaly tribe, on or near whose coast the guano island was presumed to be.
2006 www.nzroadtrip.com 31 May (O.E.D. Archive) This quaint little village owes its origins to the early mining era, as it acted as a home for many of the hopeful prospect hunters and gold panners.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† prospectadj.
Obsolete. rare.
Open to view; clearly visible.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adjective] > clearly visible
senec1175
well seenc1175
naked?c1225
well isenec1275
bremec1340
evidenta1382
apparent1393
palpable?1435
open1478
pointablea1555
faira1568
full-eyed1581
unmasked1590
eyeful?1611
plain1613
prospecta1640
unovercloudeda1658
intuitive1801
unmystified1822
shroudless1841
unforeshortened1846
trenchant1849
focusable1889
a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Queene of Corinth iii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Bbbbbb3/2 I weare a Christall casement 'fore my heart... Let it be prospect unto all the world.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
† prospectv.1
Obsolete.
1. intransitive. To have or afford a view in a particular direction; to face toward; to look out upon or into.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)] > have specific aspect
beholda1382
look?1440
stand?1473
turn1535
prospect1555
spect1585
face1638
point1859
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > have view [verb (intransitive)]
seec1200
prospect1555
to look out1624
command1667
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde ii. vii. f. 79v It prospectethe [L. spectat] towarde that parte of Aphrike.
1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello Certaine Tragicall Disc. (1898) I. 250 The magnifical..scituation of the towne, prospectinge with open casementes uppon the heyghte of the highe sea Tyrenum.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. i. 364 Sixteene faire Trees..Whose equall front in quadran forme prospected, As if of purpose Nature them erected.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage iv. xvi. 367 Their houses are low..and prospect into the streets.
2. transitive. Of a person: to look towards; to view; to see at a distance. Of a building, etc.: to face towards or command a view of; to be situated in the direction of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > face a direction
front1523
prospect1555
face1567
behold1593
head1610
frontage1914
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look out on
prospect1555
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > have view of [verb (transitive)]
prospect1555
overview1564
overlook1632
command1697
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde iii. x. f. 140v The highest towre of his palaice, from whense they myght prospecte [L. dispectare] the mayne sea.
1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 19v Openyng the window of light, on the clearer side, prospecting the Sunne.
1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin vi. 301 He cast a mine on that side which prospects Pizifalcona.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 150 The College of the Carmelites is on an high Mount, prospecting the whole City.
3. transitive. To foresee; to expect; to anticipate.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expect [verb (transitive)]
weenOE
weenc1000
thinklOE
lookc1225
hopec1330
trusta1387
wait onc1390
supposea1393
to wait after ——1393
to look after ——c1400
thinkc1480
attend1483
suppone1490
expect1535
to expect for1538
aspect1548
respect1549
look1560
ween1589
attend1591
propose1594
await1608
to presume on, upon, or of1608
to look forwards1637
prospect1652
to look for ——a1677
augur1678
anticipate1749
to look to ——1782
spect1839
contemplate1841–8
to look forward1848
eye1979
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > foresee or foreknow [verb (transitive)]
fore-witc888
foreseec1000
foreshowc1000
seea1200
forelook1340
purvey1340
before-knowa1425
providea1450
previdec1475
provisec1475
foreknow1530
expect1595
previse1597
preview1607
precognize1612
prospect1652
fore-viewa1711
prevision1868
presee1890
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > anticipation, forecast > anticipate, forecast [verb (transitive)]
to cast dangerc1449
forecasta1513
preventa1533
foredeem1542
premeditate1566
foretake1588
fore-run1591
foreprise1597
to lay one's account with (also on, for)1606
foreguess1640
prospect1652
precalculate1840
pre-empt1928
second-guess1941
1652 J. Gaule Πυς-μαντια 152 How many accidents fall out fatally, that can have no second cause ordinatly assigned to them; much less prospected in them.
1673 J. Flavell Fountain of Life xviii. 223 The infinite wisdom prospecting all this, ordered that Christ should first be deeply humbled.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
prospectv.2
/prəˈspɛkt/, /prɒˈspɛkt/, /ˈprɒspɛkt/, U.S. /ˈprɑˌspɛk(t)/ Chiefly Mining. Originally U.S.† 3. intransitive. Of a mine, deposit, etc.: to give (good or bad) indications of future returns. Also: to prove to be of a specified value or quality on actual trial. Obsolete.
1.
a. intransitive. To explore a region in search of mineral deposits, esp. gold; to search a region for mineral deposits.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (intransitive)] > prospect
prop1747
mineralize1787
mineralogize1804
prospect1834
1834 Green-Bay Intelligencer (Navarino, Wisconsin Territory) 16 Apr. In prosecuting their discoveries, or in prospecting (to use a miner's phrase) they roam over a large tract of country.
1841 Daily Picayune (New Orleans) 4 Feb. 1/6 There are now a large number of persons prospecting upon the hills in the rear of Dubuque.
1850 B. Taylor Eldorado I. ix. 66 Dr. Gillette came down..with a companion, to ‘prospect’ for gold among the ravines in the neighbourhood.
1885 R. C. Praed Head Station (new ed.) 64 I've sent my mate to prospect for a new claim.
1940 M. de la Roche Whiteoak Chron. iv. xxii. 860 He..had..experienced hard luck prospecting in the North.
1997 Independent 29 July 5/3 The descendants of such robots could one day be prospecting on Mars or other planets, autonomously operating in environments too hostile for humans.
b. intransitive. figurative. To search about; to look for something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for
to search out?a1400
to look about1536
to feel after ——?1557
study1561
to feel for ——1569
to look out for1578
to lay out1624
to look round1630
to lay about1755
prospect1854
roust1870
to look around1927
1854 A. Delano Life on Plains xxiv. 350 Our toes were as often out ‘prospecting’ from the ends of our boots as any way.
1855 Times 9 Mar. 10/1 It is rather hard on a crack corps to be sent out ‘prospecting’ for roots in the snow.
1867 E. Nason in New-Eng. Historical & Geneal. Reg. 21 5 Mr. Webster..finding himself almost pennyless,..came to Boston, ‘prospecting’ for employment.
1884 New-Eng. Hist. & Geneal. Reg. 38 340 I have prospected in the records, from the middle of the sixteenth to the middle of the seventeenth centuries.
1946 E. Waugh Diaries (1979) 664 Hurricane blowing and bitter cold. Midwinter is no season to prospect for a house.
1993 Coloradoan (Fort Collins) 18 Apr. f3/4 Retailers become like modern day gold miners ‘prospecting’ for clients.
2.
a. transitive. To explore or examine (a region) for minerals, esp. gold; to work (a mine, lode, etc.) experimentally so as to assess its potential yield.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (transitive)] > prospect (region)
prospect1851
society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (transitive)] > prospect (region) > work (mine or lode) experimentally
prospect1851
1851 L. Clappe Let. 7 Oct. in Pioneer (San Francisco) (1854) Aug. 92 There is a deep pit in front of our cabin, and another at the side of it, though they are not worked, as when ‘prospected’, they did not ‘yield the color’.
1865 Visct. Milton & W. B. Cheadle N.-W. Passage by Land (1901) xii. 222 The three miners..discovering that they were close to the Athabasca, had turned back to prospect the sources of the McLeod.
1877 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 162 A shaft is being sunk to prospect the ground.
1927 C. M. Russell Trails plowed Under 10 Once I had a notion of walkin' in an' prospectin' the place, but there's somethin' ghostly about it an' I change [sic] my mind.
1991 Vermont May 32/2 After prospecting old mining sites..and talking to other rockhounds, he decided, ‘There's gold scattered all around the state.’
b. transitive. figurative. To conduct a survey or examination of; to evaluate in terms of future prospects.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > inspection, survey > inspect, survey [verb (transitive)] > as to prospects
prospect1852
1852 N.-Y. Daily Times 17 Mar. He had a long and capital opportunity of prospecting the future quarters of the four Generals.
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling vii. 229 Prospect the place, look for an open space.
1906 J. London White Fang ii. i. 63 There were other run-ways and alleys where rabbits were hanging in the air, and the wolf-pair prospected them all.
1979 Sci. Amer. Sept. 172/2 By the middle of this century electrical techniques had emerged as important tools for prospecting the brain.
1993 Coloradoan (Fort Collins) 21 Mar. f1/5 Basically we prospect the stadium business, three years, maybe four years before the time that it's actually constructed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral sources > [verb (intransitive)] > indicate presence
prospect1851
show1904
1851 N. Kingsley Diary (1914) 167 They say it does not prospect very well.
1868 F. Whymper Trav. Alaska xxv. 282 If a speculation promises well, they may answer, ‘It prospects well.’
1877 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 60 The dirt on the bed-rock is very rich, having prospected from $5 to $10 to the pan.
1897 Daily News 3 Nov. 9/5 This stone is very rich in places, and some of it prospects fully 20 ounces to the ton.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.?a1475
adj.a1640v.11555
v.21834