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Webster 1913 Edition


Retrospective

Reˊtro-spec′tive

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
rétrospectif
.]
1.
Looking backward; contemplating things past; – opposed to
prospective
;
as, a
retrospective
view
.
The sage, with
retrospective
eye.
Pope.
2.
Having reference to what is past; affecting things past; retroactive;
as, a
retrospective
law
.
Inflicting death by a
retrospective
enactment.
Macaulay.

Webster 1828 Edition


Retrospective

RETROSPECT'IVE

, a.
1.
Looking back on past events; as a retrospective view.
2.
Having reference to what is past; affecting things past. A penal statute can have no retrospective effect or operation.

Definition 2024


retrospective

retrospective

See also: rétrospective

English

Adjective

retrospective (comparative more retrospective, superlative most retrospective)

  1. of, relating to, or contemplating the past
    • 2015, Louise Taylor, Papiss Cissé and Jonny Evans spitting row mars Manchester United’s win over Newcastle (in The Guardian, 4 March 2015)
      While the pictures of what precisely unfolded after Cissé looked to tread on Evans are not entirely conclusive, the Football Association will surely pore over them on Thursday before quite possibly using video evidence to impose lengthy retrospective bans stemming from an incident unseen by Anthony Taylor, the referee.
  2. looking backwards
  3. affecting or influencing past things; retroactive

Synonyms

Translations

Noun

retrospective (plural retrospectives)

  1. an exhibition of works from an extended period of an artist's activity

See also