Definition: prospect

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

prospect
     n 1: the possibility of future success; "his prospects as a
          writer are excellent"
     2: belief about (or mental picture of) the future [syn: expectation,
         outlook]
     3: someone who is considered for something (for an office or
        prize or honor etc.) [syn: candidate]
     4: the visual percept of a region; "the most desirable feature
        of the park are the beautiful views" [syn: view, aspect,
         scene, vista, panorama]
     5: a prediction of the course of a disease [syn: prognosis, medical
        prognosis]
     v 1: search for something desirable; "prospect a job"
     2: explore for for useful or valuable things or substances,
        such as minerals

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Prospect \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.

Prospect \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.

Prospect \Pros"pect\, v. i.
   To make a search; to seek; to explore, as for mines or the
   like; as, to prospect for gold.

Source: U.S. Gazetteer (1990)

Prospect, CT
  Zip code(s): 06712
Prospect, KY (city, FIPS 63264)
  Location: 38.34777 N, 85.60931 W
  Population (1990): 2788 (1089 housing units)
  Area: 9.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
  Zip code(s): 40059
Prospect, NY (village, FIPS 59883)
  Location: 43.30424 N, 75.15284 W
  Population (1990): 312 (124 housing units)
  Area: 0.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Prospect, OH (village, FIPS 64780)
  Location: 40.45242 N, 83.18571 W
  Population (1990): 1148 (447 housing units)
  Area: 1.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
  Zip code(s): 43342
Prospect, OR
  Zip code(s): 97536
Prospect, PA (borough, FIPS 62752)
  Location: 40.90074 N, 80.04958 W
  Population (1990): 1122 (461 housing units)
  Area: 12.4 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
  Zip code(s): 16052
Prospect, TN
  Zip code(s): 38477
Prospect, VA
  Zip code(s): 23960

PROSPECT, n.  An outlook, usually forbidding.  An expectation, usually
forbidden.

    Blow, blow, ye spicy breezes --
        O'er Ceylon blow your breath,
    Where every prospect pleases,
        Save only that of death.
                                                         Bishop Sheber