prospective

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle French prospectif, from Late Latin prospectivus. See more at English prospect.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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prospective (not comparable)

  1. Likely or expected to happen or become.
    Prospective students are those who have already applied to the university, but have yet to be admitted.
  2. Anticipated in the near or far future.
    • 1968, Herold Jacob Wiens, “I-CH’ANG”, in Encyclopedia Britannica[1], volume 11, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 1054, column 1:
      A short distance above I-ch’ang is the prospective site of a hydroelectric dam that has vast promise for the industrialization of central China.
  3. Of or relating to a prospect; furnishing a prospect.
  4. Looking forward in time; acting with foresight.
    • 1668-1690, Josiah Child, A new discourse of trade
      The French king, and the king of Sweden are [] circumspect, industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair.
  5. (medicine, of research) A study that starts with the present situation and follows participants into the future
  6. (grammar) Indicating grammatically an activity about to begin.
    What some other languages convey with prospective aspect, English conveys with expressions like going to drive the car home.

Translations

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Noun

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prospective (plural prospectives)

  1. (obsolete) The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect.
  2. (obsolete) A perspective glass.
  3. (informal, often plural) A prospective (potential) member, student, employee, date, partner, etc.
    Would you like to show the prospective around?
    I'm meeting the prospectives at 3.
    • 2006, Verve: The Spirit of Today's Woman, volume 14, numbers 4-6, page 114:
      At the moment, meeting interesting, 'could be, maybe not' prospectives around the globe keeps her entertained.

See also

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References

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French

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Adjective

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prospective

  1. feminine singular of prospectif