01 a. Looking backward; contemplating things past; -- opposed to prospective; as, a retrospective view.
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1.
Looking backward; contemplating things past; -- opposed to prospective; as, a retrospective view.“The sage, with retrospective eye.” — Pope.
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2.
Having reference to what is past; affecting things past; retroactive; as, a retrospective law.“Inflicting death by a retrospective enactment.” — Macaulay.