retrospect

[ re-truh-spekt ]
/ ˈrɛ trəˌspɛkt /

noun

contemplation of the past; a survey of past time, events, etc.

verb (used without object)

to look back in thought; refer back (often followed by to): to retrospect to a period in one's youth.

verb (used with object)

to look back upon; contemplate retrospectively.

Idioms for retrospect

    in retrospect, in looking back on past events; upon reflection: It was, in retrospect, the happiest day of her life.

Origin of retrospect

1595–1605; probably retro- + (pro)spect

British Dictionary definitions for in retrospect

retrospect
/ (ˈrɛtrəʊˌspɛkt) /

noun

the act of surveying things past (often in the phrase in retrospect)

verb archaic

to contemplate (anything past); look back on (something)
(intr often foll by to) to refer

Word Origin for retrospect

C17: from Latin retrōspicere to look back, from retro- + specere to look

Idioms and Phrases with in retrospect

in retrospect

Looking backward, reflecting on the past. For example, In retrospect, he regarded his move as the best thing he'd ever done. This idiom employs retrospect in the sense of “a view of the past.” [Second half of 1600s]