from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Perspective \Per*spec"tive\, n. [F. perspective, fr. perspectif:
cf. It. perspettiva. See {Perspective}, a.]
1. A glass through which objects are viewed. [Obs.] "Not a
perspective, but a mirror." --Sir T. Browne.
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2. That which is seen through an opening; a view; a vista.
"The perspective of life." --Goldsmith.
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3. The effect of distance upon the appearance of objects, by
means of which the eye recognizes them as being at a more
or less measurable distance. Hence, a["e]rial perspective,
the assumed greater vagueness or uncertainty of outline in
distant objects.
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A["e]rial perspective is the expression of space by
any means whatsoever, sharpness of edge, vividness
of color, etc. --Ruskin.
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4. The art and the science of so delineating objects that
they shall seem to grow smaller as they recede from the
eye; -- called also {linear perspective}.
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5. A drawing in linear perspective.
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{Isometrical perspective}, an inaccurate term for a
mechanical way of representing objects in the direction of
the diagonal of a cube.
{Perspective glass}, a telescope which shows objects in the
right position.
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