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retrospect

Retrospect is a term used to describe a survey or review of past events. As a noun, it denotes contemplation about what happened previously, often with new understanding. It can also function as a verb meaning to look back on or review something after the fact. The phrase in retrospect is commonly used to indicate reflection regarding past events with the benefit of hindsight.

Etymology: the word comes from Latin retrospectus, from retro- meaning back and specere meaning to look. The

In usage, retrospect appears in literature, history, and criticism to signal appraisal of earlier interpretations. In

Examples include sentences such as, “In retrospect, the decision to delay the project was misguided,” and “The

See also: retrospection; retrospective (as a noun or adjective); memory.

form
and
sense
have
developed
to
cover
both
the
act
of
looking
back
and
the
result
of
such
reflection.
psychology,
retrospective
memory
refers
to
the
recall
of
past
experiences.
In
the
arts,
a
retrospective
is
an
exhibition
or
curatorial
project
that
surveys
an
artist’s
body
of
work
over
an
extended
period.
In
business
and
software
development,
a
retrospective
is
a
structured
meeting
in
agile
processes
where
teams
reflect
on
a
completed
iteration
and
identify
improvements.
museum
organized
a
retrospective
of
the
painter’s
career.”
These
usages
highlight
careful
consideration
of
past
events,
past
performances,
or
past
works.