Prospective

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect. Sir H. Wotton.

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

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

1. Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect; perspective. [Obs.] Time's long and dark prospective glass. Milton.

2. Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; -- opposed to retrospective. The French king of Sweden are circumspect, industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair. Sir J. Child.

3. Being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a prospective benefit. Points on which the promises, at the time of ordination, had no prospective bearing. W. Jay.