retroactive Hear it!

retroactive definition

retro·ac·tive (-ak′tiv)

adjective

  1. having application to or effect on things done prior to its enactment a retroactive law
  2. going into effect as of a specified date in the past a retroactive increase

Etymology: Fr rétroactif: see retroact & -ive

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.