aspect

[ as-pekt ]

noun

1. appearance to the eye or mind; look:

   the physical aspect of the country.

2. nature; quality; character:

   the superficial aspect of the situation.

3. a way in which a thing may be viewed or regarded; interpretation; view:

   both aspects of a decision.

4. part; feature; phase:

   That is the aspect of the problem that interests me most.

5. facial expression; countenance:

   He wore an aspect of gloom. Hers was an aspect of happy optimism.

6. bearing; air; mien:

   warlike in aspect.

7. view commanded; exposure:

   The house has a southern aspect.

   Synonyms: outlook, prospect

8. the side or surface facing a given direction:

   the dorsal aspect of a fish; the northern aspect of the house.

9. Grammar.
   1. a category or interrelated set of categories for which the verb is inflected in some languages, typically to indicate the duration, repetition, completion, or quality of the action or state denoted by the verb.
   2. a set of syntactic devices, as in the English perfect with have in I have gone, with functions similar to such inflections.
   3. any of the members or instances of these categories or sets:

      the Latin perfect aspect; the Russian imperfect aspect.

   4. the meaning of, or meaning typical of, such a category or construction.
   5. such categories or constructions, or their meanings collectively.
10. Astrology.
    1. the angular distance between two points as seen from the earth, primarily derived by dividing the 360 degrees of the zodiac by the integers 1 through 12.
    2. the influence of any two planets or groups of planets located at such points.
11. Archaic. a look; glance.

aspect

/ ˈæspɛkt /

noun

1. appearance to the eye; visual effect

   the physical aspect of the landscape

2. a distinct feature or element in a problem, situation, etc; facet

   to consider every aspect of a problem

3. the way in which a problem, idea, etc, may be considered

   to consider a problem from every aspect

4. a facial expression; manner of appearing

   a severe aspect

5. a position facing a particular direction; outlook

   the southern aspect of a house

6. a view in a certain direction

   a good aspect of the village from the tower

7. a surface that faces in a given direction

   the ventral aspect of a fish

8. astrology any of several specific angular distances between two planets or a planet and the Ascendant or Midheaven measured, from the earth, in degrees along the ecliptic
9. grammar a category of verbs or verbal inflections that expresses such features as the continuity, repetition, or completedness of the action described Compare perfective progressive progressive
10. botany
    1. the compass direction to which a plant habitat is exposed, or the degree of exposure
    2. the effect of the seasons on the appearance of plants
11. archaic.
    glance or gaze

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspect¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin aspectus “appearance, visible form, the action of looking at,” equivalent to aspec- (variant stem of aspicere “to observe, look at,” from a- a- ⁵ + -spicere, combining form of specere “to see”) + -tus suffix of verbal action

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspect¹

C14: from Latin aspectus a sight, from aspicere, from ad- to, at + specere to look

Synonym Study

See appearance.

Example Sentences

The percentages might sound high but only apply to certain aspects of production, for example, thereby limiting the net impact, said Daniels.

From Salon

Thinking of Medicaid as welfare serves another aspect of the conservative program, in that it makes Medicaid politically easier to cut, like all “welfare” programs.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the most alluring aspects of Trumpism to Christian conservatives is his vision of masculine power unchecked by accountability.

From Salon

Maybe we don’t think much about that aspect of love, preferring to dwell — as most movies do — on all the moony, swoony parts.

From New York Times

A key aspect of their destructive potential is their unpredictability.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• facet
• feature
• phase
• prospect
• situation
• view