All 3 Uses of
perspective
in
Gulliver's Travels
- I had as I before observed, one private pocket, which escaped their search, wherein there was a pair of spectacles (which I sometimes use for the weakness of mine eyes,) a pocket perspective, and some other little conveniences; which, being of no consequence to the emperor, I did not think myself bound in honour to discover, and I apprehended they might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them out of my possession.†
Chpt 1
- I took out my pocket perspective, and could plainly discover numbers of people moving up and down the sides of it, which appeared to be sloping; but what those people where doing I was not able to distinguish.†
Chpt 3 *
Uses with a very rare meaning:
- I walked towards the north-east coast, over against Blefuscu, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my small perspective glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, consisting of about fifty men of war, and a great number of transports: I then came back to my house, and gave orders (for which I had a warrant) for a great quantity of the strongest cable and bars of iron.†
Chpt 1 *
Definitions:
-
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) Less commonly, in classic literature, perspective glass or perspectives can refer to a small telescope. More specialized senses of perspective are found in geometry, sound engineering, and philosophy. Consult a comprehensive dictionary if you wish to see those. All the common senses have to do with the way something is viewed.
-
(perspective as in: Look at it from her perspective) a particular way of seeing or thinking about things