| 释义 |
retrospection|rɛtrəʊˈspɛkʃən, riːtrəʊ-|
[ad. L. type *retrōspectiōn-em, n. of action f. retrōspicĕre: cf. retrospect n.]
1. The action of looking back. rare—1.
1633T. Adams Exp. 2 Pet. iii. 18 Think upon his [i.e. Lot's] wife's retardation and retrospection.
2. Retrospective or retroactive action. rare—1.
1657Burton's Diary (1828) I. 310 By the Bill, you punish men wholly for an offence before committed. It lies altogether upon retrospection.
3. The action of looking back or referring to something. Also without const., reference or allusion to past events.
1674S. Jeake Arith. (1696) 374 A Retrospection thither may save a large Repetition of the Rules here. 1711G. Hickes Two Treat. Chr. Priesth. (1847) II. 360 Without any retrospection to old principles. 1765Foote Commissary i. Wks. 1799 II. 17 It is best, Polly, in order to prevent all retrospection, that we settle accounts before you change your condition. 1796E. Parsons Myst. Warning IV. 68 Studious to avoid any retrospection to unpleasant scenes. 1807G. Chalmers Caledonia I. i. i. 2 Yet, must all these topics be introduced to the attention..by retrospection to the pristine ages.
†b. Reference or regard to a person. Obs. rare.
1748Richardson Clarissa (1811) II. 263 Such a retrospection in her arguments to him. 1753–4― Grandison (1781) II. iv. 46, I should abhor myself..if I had any retrospection to myself.
4. The action or fact of looking back upon, or surveying, past time.
1729Swift To Janus on N. Year's Day Misc. (1735) V. 231 When thy Retrospection vast, Sees the glorious Ages past. 1755Young Centaur v. Wks. 1757 IV. 215 A man can see himself in retrospection only. 1832L. Hunt Sir R. Esher (1850) 128, I am confounding prophecy with retrospection. 1847J. Yeowell Anc. Brit. Church Pref. iv, He looks back on its earliest dawn with pleasing retrospection. 1860W. Collins Wom. in White III. vi. 82 The narrative which goes far enough back..to avoid all impediments of retrospection in its course.
b. An instance of this; esp. a survey of past life or experiences.
1697Collier Ess. Mor. Subj. (1709) 183, I must own that pleasant Retrospections, and easy Thoughts,..are admirable Opiates. 1796E. Parsons Myst. Warning III. 93 For myself, a retrospection on the past, and the prospect of the future, was so dark. 1806T. S. Surr Winter in Lond. II. 28 Edward..passed the greater part of the journey in a retrospection of his past life and feelings. 1875Helps Soc. Press. xxiv. 360 The most remarkable change that, on this retrospection, we discover in ourselves.
c. A review of past events or of some matter.
1753–4Richardson Grandison (1781) IV. xv. 112 He and his nephew were both determined to procure a retrospection of all former proceedings. 1844J. Macfarlane Mem. J. Campbell II. 34 Doing so would lead to the discussion of topics rather apart from the design of this retrospection.
5. A retrogressive course of thought.
1870J. H. Newman Gram. Assent ii. viii. 262 The long retrospection lodges us at length at..first principles. |