retrospect

[re-truh-spekt] /ˈrɛ trəˌspɛkt/
noun
1.
contemplation of the past; a survey of past time, events, etc.
verb (used without object)
2.
to look back in thought; refer back (often followed by to):
to retrospect to a period in one's youth.
verb (used with object)
3.
to look back upon; contemplate retrospectively.
Idioms
4.
in retrospect, in looking back on past events; upon reflection:
It was, in retrospect, the happiest day of her life.
Origin
1595-1605; probably retro- + (pro)spect
British Dictionary definitions for in retrospect

retrospect

/ˈrɛtrəʊˌspɛkt/
noun
1.
the act of surveying things past (often in the phrase in retrospect)
verb (archaic)
2.
to contemplate (anything past); look back on (something)
3.
(intransitive) often foll by to. to refer
Word Origin
C17: from Latin retrōspicere to look back, from retro- + specere to look
Word Origin and History for in retrospect

retrospect

n.

c.1600, "a regard or reference" (to something), from Latin retrospectum, past participle of retrospicere "look back," from retro- "back" (see retro-) + specere "look at" (see scope (n.1)). Meaning "survey of past events" is from 1660s.

Idioms and Phrases with in retrospect

in retrospect

Looking backward, reflecting on the past. For example, In retrospect, he regarded his move as the best thing he'd ever done. This idiom employs retrospect in the sense of “a view of the past.” [ Second half of 1600s ]