prospectus

/prəˈspɛktəs/

/prəˈspɛktɪs/

Other forms: prospectuses

A prospectus is a written catalog or brochure that offers a plan, as of school courses to take or stocks to buy. The idea of a prospectus is to offer a variety of options and a plan of action.

One goal of a prospectus is to present the positive features of something in order to attract a desired participant. When a new company wants to attract investors or a stock brokerage wants to attract new clients, each offers a prospectus specific to its goals. The word is from the Latin verb specere, "to look," which is combined with the prefix prō-, "forward" — giving us a verb meaning "to look forward" to something that is coming. The modern word appeared first in France in the 18th century.

Definitions of prospectus

1. noun

   a formal written offer to sell securities (filed with the SEC) that sets forth a plan for a (proposed) business enterprise
   “a prospectus should contain the facts that an investor needs to make an informed decision”

   type of:

   offer, offering

   something offered (as a proposal or bid)
2. noun

   a catalog listing the courses offered by a college or university
   synonyms: course catalog, course catalogue

   types:

   preliminary prospectus, red herring

   a first draft of a prospectus; must be clearly marked to indicate that parts may be changed in the final prospectus

   type of:

   catalog, catalogue

   a book or pamphlet containing an enumeration of things