retrospect means consideration of past times. It carries an Arena rating of 1500, earned across 4 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, retrospect ranks #2,382 of 14,414 for Most Elegant Words, #5,643 of 25,264 for Qualifying, #7,082 of 14,423 for Most Sublime Words, #7,102 of 14,448 for Funniest Words.
retrospect is pronounced /ˈɹɛtɹəˌspɛkt/.
Why “retrospect” is a great word
A contemplation or survey of past events. From Latin retrōspectum, from retrōspicere ("to look back at"), from retrō- ("backwards") + specere ("to look at"), first attested 1595–1605. Unlike hindsight, which implies a belated and often rueful judgment, or review, which can scan indifferently over any span, retrospect is the pure, deliberate act of turning one's gaze backward. It is the amber light of a winter afternoon falling across old photographs, the scent of rain on dry earth recalling a childhood summer, or the silent, patient reel of film in an empty theater—a private ceremony to observe the quiet procession of what has been, where even what is lost may still be seen.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin retrōspectum, from retrōspicio (“to look back at”), equivalent to retro- + -spect. Compare review.
noun
- Consideration of past times.“My mind, calmer and stronger now than last night, made for itself some imperious rules, prohibiting under deadly penalties all weak retrospect of happiness past; commanding a patient journeying through the wilderness of the present...”
verb
- To look or refer back to; to reflect on.“To give a correct idea of the circumstances which have gradually produced this conviction, it may be useful to retrospect to an early period.”
Words closest in meaning
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