From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
vista
n : the visual percept of a region; "the most desirable feature
of the park are the beautiful views" [syn: view,
aspect, prospect, scene, panorama]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Vista \Vis"ta\, n.; pl. Vistas. [It., sight, view, fr. vedere,
p. p. visto, veduto, to see, fr. L. videre, visum. See
View, Vision.]
A view; especially, a view through or between intervening
objects, as trees; a view or prospect through an avenue, or
the like; hence, the trees or other objects that form the
avenue.
[1913 Webster]
The finished garden to the view
Its vistas opens, and its alleys green. --Thomson.
[1913 Webster]
In the groves of their academy, at the end of every
vista, you see nothing but the gallows. --Burke.
[1913 Webster]
The shattered tower which now forms a vista from his
window. --Sir W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]