/ ˌretrəˈspektɪv; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
thinking about or connected with sth that happened in the past
2.
(also less frequent , formal retro·active ) ( of a new law or decision ) intended to take effect from a particular date in the past rather than from the present date :
retrospective legislation
retrospective pay awards
► retro·spect·ive·ly adverb :
She wrote retrospectively about her childhood.
The new rule will be applied retrospectively.
■ noun
a public exhibition of the work that an artist has done in the past, showing how his or her work has developed