| 释义 |
retrospective, a. (and n.)|rɛtrəʊˈspɛktɪv, riːtrəʊ-|
[See retrospect n. and -ive. So F. rétrospectif, -ive, It. retrospettivo, Pg. retrospectivo.]
1. a. Directed to, contemplative of, past time.
1664(title), A Faithful Testimony..or a Retrospective Glass for the Legislators..who are found persecuting the Innocent. 1732Pope Ep. Cobham i. 99 In vain the Sage, with retrospective eye, Would from th' apparent What conclude the Why. 1804J. Grahame Sabbath (1839) 26/1 To think he'll cast, midway the vale of years, A retrospective look, bedimm'd with tears. 1831Hood Playing at Soldiers vi, Ah me! my retrospective soul! As over memory's muster⁓roll I cast my eyes anew. 1873Proctor Exp. Heaven 178 Beyond the limits to which our powers enable us to reach in our retrospective researches.
b. Of an exhibition, programme of music, or the like: showing the development of the work produced, usu. by one artist, over a period. Freq. ellipt. as n. (often const. of to introduce what is being exhibited).
1919R. Fry Let. 22 Feb. (1972) II. 447 It's really a good show: a retrospective exhibition of Dudley..arranged all round the walls of the big room. 1931― Let. 3 Mar. (1972) II. 654 I've been having a retrospective show (forty years of work). 1932[see rayograph]. 1954Burlington Mag. XCVI. 162/1 A retrospective exhibition..provides a much-needed opportunity to review Pasmore's..development..from a Euston Road ‘impressionism’,..up to his most constructivist reliefs. 1964Listener 5 Mar. 400/2 Once again the Marlborough has scooped all its rivals with a retrospective of the greatest of all the German Expressionists. 1969Vogue Nov. 30/2 A true treasure at the Guggenheim, Constantin Brancusi—a complete retrospective of his work. 1972Village Voice (N.Y.) 1 June 59/2 The Museum of Modern Art has been running a Will Rogers Retrospective. 1973Radio Times 18 Jan. 49/1 As a prelude to tomorrow evening's major retrospective of music by Luciano Berio, Misha Donat introduces a work which represents a turning-point in his career. 1975Times Lit. Suppl. 11 July 759/5 It is five years since Bill Brandt's retrospective of 125 photographs was shown at the Hayward Gallery. 1979Daily Tel. 31 Dec. 12 The National Film Theatre gave him [sc. Alfred Hitchcock] a major retrospective. 1980Times 8 Jan. 9/8 The retrospective does throw in a bonus in the shape of a room of very early work before..Dali became appreciably Dali.
2. Of statutes, etc.: Operative with regard to past time; retroactive.
a1768Erskine Inst. Law Scot. ii. vii. §15 It hinders the confirmation from having that retrospective quality. 1828Macaulay Ess., Hallam, That..the State may justifiably pass a retrospective act against an offender, we have no doubt whatever. 1831Ibid., Hampden, Sentencing a man to death by retrospective law. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. v. 433 Our instincts tell us that no legislation should be retrospective. 1873Sat. Rev. 9 Aug. 36/1 It is a retrospective alteration of a contract by one of the parties to the detriment of the other.
transf.1899Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 321 The amnesia, however, is not, so to speak, retrospective.
3. a. Backward; lying to the rear.
1796Coombe & Boydell Hist. Thames II. 29 In this part of the river the retrospective view possesses every charm of elegant landscape. 1845Fearnside Views Thames & Medway 71 The retrospective view is very picturesque. 1872Jenkinson Guide Eng. Lakes (1879) 13 Allowing of fine retrospective views of Ambleside.
b. n. The backward prospect. rare—1.
1825C. Westmacott Eng. Spy I. 25 The retrospective affords a view. |