Retrospective
/ˌrɛtrəˈspɛktɪv/noun
Looking back on or dealing with past events, developments, or work.
Did you know?Its second element comes from Latin specere, “to look,” the same ancient root behind spectacle, inspect, and spy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spek-
“To observe, look at, or examine”
Classical Latin
Latin
specere
“To look at or see”
Classical Latin
Latin
retro
“Backward or behind”
Late Latin
Latin
retrospectus
“Looked back; viewed in retrospect”
17th Century
French
rétrospectif
“Looking back over past events”
18th Century
English
retrospective
“Looking back on the past; first used in English as an adjective”