retroactive

ret·ro·ac·tive

adj \-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

Rhymes with RETROACTIVE

bioactive, counteractive, cross-reactive, hyperactive, interactive, neuroactive, overactive, psychoactive, putrefactive, surface-active, unattractive, vasoactive