early 15c., "act of looking into the distance," from Latin prospectus "distant view, look out; sight, faculty of sight," noun use of past participle of prospicere "look out on, look forward," from pro- "forward" (see pro-) + specere "look at" (see scope (n.1)). Meaning "extensive view of the landscape" is from 1530s; transferred sense of "mental view or survey" is from 1620s. Sense of "person or thing considered promising" is from 1922. Prospects "expectations, things looked forward to" is from 1660s.
prospect (v.)
"explore for gold, examine land with a view to a mining claim," 1841, from prospect (n.) in specialized sense of "spot giving prospects of ore" (1832). Earlier in a sense "look forth, look out over" (1550s), from Latin prospectare. Related: Prospected; prospecting.
实用例句
1. Unfortunately, there is little prospect of seeing these big questions answered.
不幸的是，几乎不可能看到这些重大问题得到回复。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The prospect of easy profits has attracted the wrong kind of businessman.
轻松捞取利润的可能性吸引了一拨不良商人。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The prospect of waiting around just twiddling his thumbs was appalling.
想到将要无所事事，他就非常害怕。
来自柯林斯例句
4. We won't pretend we savour the prospect of a month in prison.
我们不会装作我们满心盼望着在监狱中度过一个月。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Jacqueline is not relishing the prospect of another spell in prison.