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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make a search; to seek; to explore, as for mines or the like; as, to prospect for gold. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

His eye discovers unaware
The goodly prospect of some foreign land. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Especially, a picturesque or widely extended view; a landscape; hence, a sketch of a landscape. [ 1913 Webster ]

I went to Putney . . . to take prospects in crayon. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A position affording a fine view; a lookout. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Him God beholding from his prospect high. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Relative position of the front of a building or other structure; face; relative aspect. [ 1913 Webster ]

And their prospect was toward the south. Ezek. xl. 44. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The act of looking forward; foresight; anticipation; as, a prospect of the future state. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. That which is hoped for; ground for hope or expectation; expectation; probable result; as, the prospect of success. “To brighter prospects born.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

These swell their prospectsd exalt their pride,
When offers are disdain'd, and love deny'd. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of looking forward, or of providing for future wants; foresight. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. prospectivus: cf. F. prospectif. See Prospect, n. ] 1. Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect; perspective. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Time's long and dark prospective glass. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; -- opposed to retrospective. [ 1913 Webster ]

The French king of Sweden are circumspect, industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair. Sir J. Child. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a prospective benefit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Points on which the promises, at the time of ordination, had no prospective bearing. W. Jay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A perspective glass. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a prospective manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Quality of being prospective. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having no prospect. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., one who looks out. ] One who prospects; especially, one who explores a region for minerals and precious metals. [ 1913 Webster ]