retrospect

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.4 Verb

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈrɛtroˌspɛkt/

[edit] Etymology

Latin retrospectum, from rētrōspicio (“‘to look back at’”).

[edit] Noun

retrospect

1. consideration of past times
   • 1853, Charlotte Bronte, "Villette":

     My mind, calmer and stronger now than last night, made for itself some imperious rules, prohibiting under deadly penalties all weak retrospect of happiness past; commanding a patient journeying through the wilderness of the present...

   • 1976, Terry Kay, The Year the Lights Came On, 1989 University of Georgia Press edition, ISBN 0820311286, page 298:

     Whether, like Colin, in retrospect Willie Lee and Baptist would feel that what has vanished was greater than what was achieved, is not something we can predict.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• in retrospect

[edit] Verb

retrospect

1. To look or refer back to; to reflect on
   • 1804: Alexander Hamilton, Letter to John Adams (Bartlett) - To give a correct idea of the circumstances.., it may be useful to retrospect to an early period.