retroactive

adjective ret·ro·ac·tive \-ˈak-tiv\

: effective from a particular date in the past

Full Definition of RETROACTIVE

: extending in scope or effect to a prior time or to conditions that existed or originated in the past; especially : made effective as of a date prior to enactment, promulgation, or imposition <retroactive tax>

— ret·ro·ac·tive·ly adverb

— ret·ro·ac·tiv·i·ty \-ˌak-ˈti-və-tē\ noun

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Origin of RETROACTIVE

French rétroactif, from Latin retroactus, past participle of retroagere to drive back, reverse, from retro- + agere to drive — more at agent

First Known Use: 1611

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with RETROACTIVE

bioactive, counteractive, cross-reactive, hyperactive, interactive, neuroactive, overactive, psychoactive, putrefactive, surface-active, unattractive, vasoactive

Medical Dictionary

retroactive

adjective ret·ro·ac·tive \ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv\

Medical Definition of RETROACTIVE

: having relation or reference to or efficacy in a prior time; specifically : relating to, caused by, or being obliteration of the results of learning by immediately subsequent activity <retroactive inhibition>