retrospective (adj) – relating to looking backwards or contemplating the past [re-truh-spek-tiv]
BREAKDOWN: RETRO- (back) + SPEC- (look) + -IVE (state of)
a retrospective is also an exhibition or review of an artist’s body of work
retrospect is contemplation of the past (commonly phrased as “in retrospect”)
retrospect may also mean to look back on
See also: circumspect, spectral, speculate
“It is a simple but sometimes forgotten truth that the greatest enemy to present joy and high hopes is the cultivation of retrospective bitterness.” —Robert Menzies
