prospect etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The word "prospect" has Latin origins, deriving from:

  • "prospectare", meaning "to look forward, anticipate, or foresee"
  • From "pro-", meaning "forward" or "in front"
  • And "-spectare", meaning "to look"

Therefore, the literal meaning of "prospect" is "to look forward."

Origin

The word "prospect" entered the English language in the 14th century, initially with the meaning of "the act of looking forward or anticipating." It later expanded to include the following meanings:

  • A view or scene, especially one that is pleasing to the eye
  • A possibility or expectation of something future
  • A potential customer or client

Usage

Today, "prospect" is commonly used in the following contexts:

  • Noun:
    • A person or company that a business identifies as a potential customer
    • A view, especially a scenic one
    • A possibility or expectation
  • Verb:
    • To look forward or anticipate
    • To search for or explore possibilities

prospect relate terms

  • prospection

    Etymology Latin prospectare to look ahead to explore Pro forward specta

  • prospect

    Etymology and Meaning The word prospect has Latin origins deriving from prospectar

  • prospector

    Etymology The word prospector is derived from the Latin word prospectare meaning to

  • prospect

    Etymology and Meaning The word prospect has Latin origins deriving from prospectar

  • chance

    Etymology The word chance comes from the Old French word chance which in turn deriv

  • view

    Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words etymon true meaning an

  • aspect

    Etymology Aspect comes from the Latin word aspectus which means a look or a view

  • prospective

    Etymology Latin prospectivus Meaning Relating to or characterized by looking forw

  • expectation

    Etymology The word expectation has its origins in the Latin word exspectare which me

  • Micawber

    Etymology From Charles Dickens s novel David Copperfield 1850 in which the character

  • whistle

    Etymology The word whistle comes from the Middle English word whistele which itself

  • search

    Etymology Origin Greek Etymology Etymos true real logia study of Mean

  • chaser

    Etymology Early 17th century in the sense one who hunts something relentlessly

  • promise

    Etymology The word promise comes from the Old French word promesse which in turn de