Main Entry:

¹pros·pect

Pronunciation:

\ˈprä-ˌspekt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin prospectus view, prospect, from prospicere to look forward, exercise foresight, from pro- forward + specere to look — more at pro-, spy

Date:

15th century

1: exposure 3b2 a (1): an extensive view (2): a mental consideration : survey b: a place that commands an extensive view : lookout c: something extended to the view : scene darchaic : a sketch or picture of a scene3obsolete : aspect4 a: the act of looking forward : anticipation b: a mental picture of something to come : vision c: something that is awaited or expected : possibility dplural (1): financial expectations (2): chances5: a place showing signs of containing a mineral deposit6 a: a potential buyer or customer b: a likely candidate for a job or position

— in prospect

: possible or likely for the future

synonyms prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come. prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern <the prospect of a quiet weekend>. outlook suggests a forecasting of the future <a favorable outlook for the economy>. anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen <the anticipation of her arrival>. foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming <the frost was a foretaste of winter>.