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. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. That which is seen through an opening; a view; a vista. “The perspective of life.” Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]
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, aërial perspective, the assumed greater vagueness or uncertainty of outline in distant objects. [ 1913 Webster ]
Aërial perspective is the expression of space by any means whatsoever, sharpness of edge, vividness of color, etc. Ruskin. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
5. A drawing in linear perspective. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]