Pros"pect , v. i. To make a search; to seek; to explore, as for mines or the
like; as, to
prospect for gold.
Pros"pect , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prospected;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Prospecting.]
To look over; to
explore or examine for something; as, to prospect a district for gold.
Pros"pect (?), n. [L. prospectus, fr.
prospicere, prospectum, to look forward; pro before, forward + specere, spicere, look, to see:
cf. OF. prospect. See Spy, v., and cf. Prospectus.]
1. That which is
embraced by eye in vision; the region which the eye
overlooks at one time; view; scene; outlook.
His eye discovers
unaware
The goodly prospect of some foreign land.
Milton. 2. Especially, a picturesque or widely extended view; a landscape; hence, a sketch of a landscape.
I went to Putney
. . . to take prospects in crayon.
Evelyn. 3. A position affording a fine view; a lookout. [R.]
Him God beholding from his prospect high.
Milton.
4. Relative position of the front of
a building or other structure; face; relative aspect.
And their prospect was toward the south.
Ezek. xl. 44.
5. The act of looking forward; foresight; anticipation; as, a prospect of the future
state. Locke.
Is he a prudent man as to his temporal estate, that lays designs only for a day, without any prospect to, or provision for, the remaining part of life
?
Tillotson. 6. That which is
hoped for; ground for hope or expectation; expectation; probable
result; as, the prospect of success. "To brighter prospects born."
Cowper.
These swell their prospectsd exalt their
pride,
When offers are disdain'd, and love deny'd.
Pope.