Rē'tro-spēct'ive or Rĕt'ro-spēct'ive, a.
a. [Fr. rétrospectif.]
Sense 1. Tending or fitted to look back; looking back; as, retrospective view. “The sage, with retrospective eye.” Pope.
Sense 2. Having reference to what is past; affecting things past. “A scruple about inflicting death by a retrospective enactment.” Macaulay.