“+ adjective
Etymology: French retroactif, from Latin retroactus (past participle of retroagere to turn back, drive back, from retro- + agere to drive, act) + French -if -ive — more at agent
: having relation or reference to or efficacy in a prior time: as
a. : operative, binding, and taking effect prior to enactment, promulgation or imposition
the retroactive effect of the Redemption
retroactive decree
retroactive tax
b. : consisting of an increase in wages effective as of an earlier date
retroactive pay
• ret·ro·actively “+ adverb