Definition of retrospective

The word "retrospective" has its roots in Latin. The Latin word "retro" means "back" or "backward," and the Latin word "spectare" means "to look" or "to gaze." Together, the Latin words formed the phrase "retrospectare," which means "to look back" or "to gaze back." The English word "retrospective" was first used in the 15th century, and it initially referred to the act of looking back or reflecting on past events or experiences. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include the idea of reviewing or examining something that has already occurred, such as a review of a past event or an analysis of a previous decision. Today, the word "retrospective" is often used in a variety of contexts, including art, literature, music, and social science, to refer to a review or examination of past events or experiences.