retrospect

Borrowed from Latin retrōspectum, from retrōspicio (“to look back at”). Compare review.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹɛtɹoˌspɛkt/

retrospect (plural retrospects)

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, 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.

• prospect

• in retrospect
• retrospective
• retrospectical
• retrospection

retrospect (third-person singular simple present retrospects, present participle retrospecting, simple past and past participle retrospected)

1. To look or refer back to; to reflect on.
   • 1800: Alexander Hamilton, Letter from Alexander Hamilton, Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq. President of the United States - To give a correct idea of the circumstances.., it may be useful to retrospect to an early period.

• hindsight
• review

• protecters, reprotects