retroactive
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3 ENTRIES FOUND:

ret·ro·ac·tive

adjective \-ˈak-tiv\

Definition of RETROACTIVE

: extending in scope or effect to a prior time or to conditions that existed or originated in the past; especially : made effective as of a date prior to enactment, promulgation, or imposition <retroactive tax>
ret·ro·ac·tive·ly adverb
ret·ro·ac·tiv·i·ty \-ˌak-ˈti-və-tē\ noun

Examples of RETROACTIVE

  1. They all received a retroactive pay raise.
  2. The new tax will be retroactive to January 1.

Origin of RETROACTIVE

French rétroactif, from Latin retroactus, past participle of retroagere to drive back, reverse, from retro- + agere to drive — more at agent
First Known Use: 1611

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

ret·ro·ac·tive

adjective \ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RETROACTIVE

: having relation or reference to or efficacy in a prior time; specifically : relating to, caused by, or being obliteration of the results of learning by immediately subsequent activity <retroactive inhibition>

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