Vision Means Both Seeing and Imagining
Vision is the sense of sight, and also imagination about the future. The Latin root videre gives English video, evidence and provide.
Vision is the ability to see, and also the ability to imagine what does not yet exist. Latin *videre*, to see, is behind an enormous number of English words: *video*, *evidence*, *provide* (to see ahead), *prudent* (a worn-down form of the same), *supervise*, *revise* and *survey*. The double sense of vision — eyesight and foresight — is very old and appears in many languages.
- The sense of sight. *Blurred vision.*
- Imaginative foresight. *A leader with vision.*
- Something seen in a dream or trance. *He had a vision.*
- Visionary — imaginative, or impractical. *A visionary architect.*
- Tunnel vision — narrow focus. *Tunnel vision about costs.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | vision | Perfect vision. |
| Plural | visions | Strange visions. |
| Adjective | visual | Visual memory. |
| Adjective | visionary | A visionary plan. |
| Related | evidence | Clear evidence. |
- Her vision deteriorated slowly.Eyesight.
- The company lacks vision.Foresight.
- Provide literally means to see ahead.Etymology.
The videre family
- Video — Latin for I see
- Evidence — what is seen out, and so clear
- Provide — to see ahead and prepare
- Supervise — to oversee
- Prudent — a contracted form of *providens*, foreseeing
Old French *vision*, from Latin *visio*, from *videre*, to see. English has used it since the 1200s, first for supernatural sights.
Are prudent and provide related?
Yes. Prudent is a worn-down form of the Latin participle meaning foreseeing, and provide means to see ahead.
What is 20/20 vision?
A measure of visual acuity: seeing at twenty feet what a typical eye sees at twenty feet. It says nothing about the whole quality of sight.