ex post facto

The definition of ex post facto is something that affects things that happened in the past.

(adjective)

When a law changes the zoning rules and applies even to zoning decisions that were made in the past, it is an example of an ex post facto change to the zoning laws.

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See ex post facto in Webster's New World College Dictionary

done or made afterward, esp. when having retroactive effect: an ex post facto law

Origin: L, from (the thing) done afterward

See ex post facto in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
Formulated, enacted, or operating retroactively. Used especially of a law.

Origin:

Origin: Latin ex postfactō

Origin: : ex, from

Origin: + postfactō

Origin: , ablative of postfactum, that which is done afterward

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