ex post facto

[ eks pohst fak-toh ]
/ ˈɛks ˌpoʊst ˈfæk toʊ /

adverb

from or by subsequent action; subsequently; retrospectively; retroactively.

adjective

having retroactive force; made or done subsequently: an ex post facto law.

Origin of ex post facto

1625–35; < Latin: from a thing done afterward, from what is done afterward

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ex post facto

ad hoc a posteriori a priori ex post facto prima facie

Example sentences from the Web for ex post facto

British Dictionary definitions for ex post facto

ex post facto
/ (ɛks pəʊst ˈfæktəʊ) /

adjective

having retrospective effect an ex post facto law

Word Origin for ex post facto

C17: from Latin ex from + post afterwards + factus done, from facere to do

Cultural definitions for ex post facto (1 of 2)

ex post facto
[ (eks pohst fak-toh) ]

An explanation or regulation concocted after the event, sometimes misleading or unjust: “Your ex post facto defense won't stand up in court.” (See ex post facto law.) From Latin, meaning “after the deed.”

Cultural definitions for ex post facto (2 of 2)

ex post facto
[ (eks pohst fak-toh) ]

A descriptive term for an explanation or a law that is made up after an event and then applied to it: “The chairman's description of his plan sounds like an ex post facto attempt to justify an impulsive action.” Ex post facto is Latin for “from after the deed.”