prospect

 

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈprɒspɛkt/
  • 1 [mass noun] the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring: there was no prospect of a reconciliation [count noun]: some training which offered a prospect of continuous employment
  • [in singular] a mental picture of a future or anticipated event: this presents a disturbing prospect of one-party government
  • (prospects) chances or opportunities for success or wealth: the poor prospects for the steel industry
  • 2a person regarded as likely to succeed or as a potential customer, client, etc.: Norwich’s unbeaten heavyweight prospect clients deemed likely prospects for active party membership
  • 3a place likely to yield mineral deposits: additional exploration prospects have been identified in this area
  • 4an extensive view of landscape: a viewpoint commanding a magnificent prospect of the estuary

verb

Pronunciation: /prəˈspɛkt/
[no object]
  • search for mineral deposits, especially by drilling and excavation: the company is also prospecting for gold
  • (prospect for) search for; seek: many charities are prospecting for new donors

Derivatives

prospectless

adjective

prospector

Pronunciation: /prəˈspɛktə/
noun

Origin:

late Middle English (as a noun denoting the action of looking towards a distant object): from Latin prospectus 'view', from prospicere 'look forward', from pro- 'forward' + specere 'to look'. Early use, referring to a view of landscape, gave rise to the meaning 'mental picture' (mid 16th century), whence 'anticipated event'