RETROSPECT

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does retrospect mean? 

• RETROSPECT (noun)
  The noun RETROSPECT has 1 sense:

1. contemplation of things past

  Familiarity information: RETROSPECT used as a noun is very rare.

• RETROSPECT (verb)
  The verb RETROSPECT has 1 sense:

1. look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events); remember

  Familiarity information: RETROSPECT used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RETROSPECT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Contemplation of things past

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

in retrospect

Hypernyms ("retrospect" is a kind of...):

contemplation; musing; reflection; reflexion; rumination; thoughtfulness (a calm, lengthy, intent consideration)

Derivation:

retrospect (look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events); remember)

• RETROSPECT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they retrospect    ... he / she / it retrospects   
Past simple: retrospected   
Past participle: retrospected   
-ing form: retrospecting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events); remember

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

look back; retrospect; review

Context example:

she reviewed her achievements with pride

Hypernyms (to "retrospect" is one way to...):

remember; think back (recapture the past; indulge in memories)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

retrospect (contemplation of things past)

retrospection (memory for experiences that are past)

retrospection (reference to things past)

retrospective (concerned with or related to the past)

 Context examples 

Of all the times of mine that Time has in his grip, there is none that in one retrospect I can smile at half so much, and think of half so tenderly.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

My dearest Fanny, I am giving you, I hope, more pleasure than pain by this retrospect of what might have been—but what never can be now.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

It is, in fact, a most mortifying retrospect for me.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

As Mr. Kirwin said this, notwithstanding the agitation I endured on this retrospect of my sufferings, I also felt considerable surprise at the knowledge he seemed to possess concerning me.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Whether his spirits were elevated by the communication I had made to him, or by his having indulged in this retrospect, I don't know; but they were raised by some influence.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I have to inform you, my dearest Fanny, that Henry has been down to Portsmouth to see you; that he had a delightful walk with you to the dockyard last Saturday, and one still more to be dwelt on the next day, on the ramparts; when the balmy air, the sparkling sea, and your sweet looks and conversation were altogether in the most delicious harmony, and afforded sensations which are to raise ecstasy even in retrospect.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)