standpoint
(ˈstændpɔɪnt)
[f. stand v. + point n.1, after G. standpunkt.]
1. A fixed point of standing; the position at which a person stands to view an object, scene or the like; a point of view.
| 1829 Mill Hum. Mind (1869) II. xiv. §6. 150 As often as the movement [of the eyes] is repeated from the same stand⁓point, the optical series is repeated. 1868 Lockyer Guillemin's Heavens (ed. 3) 475 We want to know the distance of this tower from our stand-point without actually measuring or stepping the distance. 1907 J. A. Hodges Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6) 142 A suitable stand-point having been selected. |
2. A mental point of view; the position (with respect to degree of information, direction of sympathies or prejudices, assumed fundamental principles, or the like) which a person occupies in relation to any object of mental contemplation.
| [1836 G. C. Lewis Lett. (1870) 53 The letters are..those..of a woman viewing the facts from the supposed standpunct of Mdlle. de Morell.] 1854 Geo. Eliot tr. Feuerbach's Essence Christianity ix. 96 This abstraction..is determined by the essential standpoint of man. 1858 H. Spencer Ess. l. 169 His stand-point is far remote from the one usually regarded as scientific. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. iii. 100, I am content to look at it for the time from Pope's stand-point. 1884 H. Jennings Phall. xiv. 150 He deals with the subject simply from the orthodox and academic standpoint. 1894 Drummond Ascent Man 12 The whole mistake of naturalism has been to interpret Nature from the standpoint of the atom. |
3. A position in life or in the world. rare—1.
| 1874 Helps Soc. Press. iii. 54 They direct all, or the greatest part of, their efforts to insure a most favourable standpoint for their children. |