point-of-view
UK[ˌpɔɪnt əv ˈvjuː]US[ˌpɔɪnt əv ˈvjuː]
n
a particular attitude or way of considering a matter
n
(in fictional writing) the narrator's position in relation to the story being told
Morpheme Breakdown
point
of
view
point
specific place/idea
of
belonging to
view
sight/opinion
Etymology
The compound noun "point-of-view" is a calque, or loan translation, of the French phrase point de vue, which emerged in the 18th century with its modern philosophical and artistic sense. It literally translates the components: "point" as a specific location or detail, and "view" as the act of seeing or a mental outlook. The phrase entered English in the early 19th century, initially used in discussions of perspective in painting and philosophy before solidifying its literary meaning regarding narrative perspective and its broader application for any personal opinion or standpoint. It elegantly encapsulates the concept that one's opinion is the "place" from which one "sees" or interprets the world.
Analysis
Structure: point (specific place/idea) + of (belonging to) + view (sight/opinion)
point: From Latin punctum via Old French point, meaning "a prick, a small spot, a specific detail." Functional role: Noun base, the central item or position.
of: From Old English of, of Germanic origin, indicating origin, possession, or relation. Functional role: Preposition linking the two nouns.
view: From Anglo-French veue, Old French veoir "to see," from Latin vidēre. Functional role: Noun base, the act or manner of seeing, an opinion.
Examples
The novel is written from the point-of-view of a young child.
From a scientific point-of-view, the results are inconclusive.
It's important to consider the issue from multiple points-of-view before making a decision.