ret·ro·ac·tive

[re-troh-ak-tiv]
adjective
1.
operative with respect to past occurrences, as a statute; retrospective: a retroactive law.
2.
pertaining to a pay raise effective as of a past date.

Origin:
1605–15; retro- + active

ret·ro·ac·tive·ly, adverb
ret·ro·ac·tiv·i·ty, noun
non·ret·ro·ac·tive, adjective
non·ret·ro·ac·tive·ly, adverb
non·ret·ro·ac·tiv·i·ty, noun
un·ret·ro·ac·tive, adjective
un·ret·ro·ac·tive·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To retroactive
00:10
Retroactive is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Collins
World English Dictionary
retroactive (ˌrɛtrəʊˈæktɪv) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  applying or referring to the past: retroactive legislation
2.  effective or operative from a date or for a period in the past
 
retro'actively
 
adv
 
retro'activeness
 
n
 
retroac'tivity
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

retroactive
1611, from Fr. rétroactif (fem. rétroactive) "casting or relating back," from L. retroactus, pp. of retroagere "drive or turn back," from retro- "back" + agere "to drive, set in motion" (see act).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Retroactive application after years of welcoming foreign participation decreases future predictability.
No retroactive credit for hotel stays prior to promotion registration date.
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