retrospective Hear it!

retrospective Definition

retro·spec·tive (re′trə spek′tiv)

adjective

  1. looking back on or directed to the past, past events, etc.
  2. looking or directed backward a retrospective view of the river
  3. applying to the past; retroactive

Etymology: retrospect + -ive

noun

a representative exhibition of the lifetime work of an artist

retrospective Related Forms
ret′ro·spec′·tively adverb
retrospective Synonyms

retrospective

modif.

backward-looking, recollective, reflective, pensive; see historical, thoughtful 1.

retrospective Law Definition
See retroactive.
retrospective Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • present: In 1989, the Wiener Secession presented a retrospective of his works on paper.
  • include: She has exhibited at numerous places including a retrospective of her photography at the North East's prestigious Zone Gallery.
  • hold: The Barbican, London will be holding the first retrospective of her work in September 2005.

Adjective modifier

  • major: In 1985, the National Portrait Gallery staged a major retrospective.
  • comprehensive: This exhibition is the first comprehensive retrospective of Stuart's work.
  • first: The Barbican, London will be holding the first retrospective of her work in September 2005.
  • complete: The festival will also show a complete retrospective of fashion photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber's work.
  • large: In 1886 a large retrospective of his work was held at the Grosvenor Gallery.

Modifies a noun

  • conversion: Some retrospective conversion of data generated on the older version of the database may also have occurred.
  • exhibition: A retrospective exhibition of his work was held in 1981 at the Malone Gallery in Belfast.
  • approval: Retrospective approval was granted for the advertisement at a reduced cost of £ 250.
  • analysis: A portion of each monthly sample is stored frozen, should retrospective analysis be required.
  • rebate: The Council will receive a retrospective rebate of 5 % payable on the expenditure made with effect from 1 January, 2006.
  • review: The process of retrospective review has produced positive results.

Modifying Another Word

  • fully: No records are too old to be affected it is fully retrospective.
  • only: These warnings received minimal, and in some cases only retrospective, coverage from the media.

Noun used with modifier

  • museum: It is this intention that links their works across the decades and which in turn transforms this exhibition into a museum quality retrospective.
  • CD: In spring, a CD retrospective of his music, Six Of Hearts, was released.

Preposition: of

  • artist: After more than a decade I encountered the work again, in a retrospective of the late artist 's work.
  • work: A retrospective of works by Leonard McComb RA runs from 27th September to 20th October.