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| n. 1. a. An examination using the eyes; a look: used binoculars to get a better view. b. Field of vision: The aircraft has disappeared from view. 2. a. A scene that can be looked at from a particular position; a vista: the view from the tower. b. A way of showing or seeing something, as from a particular position or angle: a side view of the house. 3. An individual and personal perception, judgment, or interpretation; an opinion: In his view, aid to the rebels should be suspended. 4. a. An aim or intention: The law was written with a view toward safeguarding privacy. b. Consideration or concern: “The pitch of the roof had been calculated with a view to the heavy seasonal rains” (Caroline Alexander). c. Expectation or likelihood: The measure has no view of success. tr.v. viewed, view·ing, views Idioms: 1. a. To look at, examine, or inspect: viewed the stars through the telescope. b. To watch (a movie or show, for example) on a screen. 2. a. To survey or study mentally; consider: When you view all their suggestions, you have to feel encouraged. b. To think of (something) in a particular way; regard: doesn't view herself as a success; viewed their efforts unfavorably. See Synonyms at see1. in view of Taking into account; in consideration of. on view Placed so as to be seen; exhibited: The photographs will be on view at the museum through next month. [Middle English vewe, from Anglo-Norman , from feminine past participle of veoir, to see, from Latin vidēre; see weid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] viewa·ble adj. Synonyms: view, opinion, sentiment, feeling, belief, conviction These nouns signify something a person believes or accepts as being sound or true. View stresses individuality of outlook: “My view is ... that freedom of speech means that you shall not do something to people either for the views they have or the views they express” (Hugo L. Black). Opinion is applicable to a judgment based on grounds insufficient to rule out the possibility of dispute: “A little group of willful men, representing no opinion but their own, have rendered the great Government of the United States helpless and contemptible” (Woodrow Wilson). Sentiment and especially feeling stress the role of emotion as a determinant: “If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences ... reason is of no use to us” (George Washington). “There needs protection ... against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling” (John Stuart Mill). A belief is something to which one subscribes strongly: “The belief that species were immutable productions was almost unavoidable as long as the history of the world was thought to be of short duration” (Charles Darwin). Conviction is a belief that excludes doubt: “the editor's own conviction of what, whether interesting or only important, is in the public interest” (Walter Lippmann). |
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