| 释义 |
▪ I. retrospect, n.|ˈrɛtrəʊspɛkt, ˈriːtrəʊ-|
[ad. L. type *retrōspect-us, f. retrōspect-, vbl. stem of retrōspicĕre to look back: cf. prospect.]
1. a. A regard or reference to some fact, authority, precedent, etc. Also without const.
1602W. Fulbecke 1st Pt. Parall. 58 In euerie action the iudgement hath a retrospect to the original. 1651N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. ii. xxx. (1739) 138 [They] so continued, until these times of Henry the Eighth, wherein they have a Retrospect to the Rock, from whence they were first hewn. 1703De Foe Explan. Shortest Way Dissenters Misc. 436 Without the least retrospect to, or concern in the Publick Bills in Parliament, now depending. 1774J. Bryant Mythol. I. 168 They explained everything by the language in use; without the least retrospect or allowance. 1799Kirwan Geol. Ess. 2 The latter cannot be properly understood without a retrospect to the former. 1844Queen's Regul. & Ord. Army 3 In case two Commissions of the same date interfere, a retrospect is to be had to former Commissions. 1895Phillimore Eccles. Law (ed. 2) I. 320 And these words of the Canon..seem to have some reference or retrospect to that determination.
b. Application to past time.
1727–38Chambers Cycl. s.v. Retroactive, We have some instances of laws that have a retrospect or retroaction, i.e. are made with express design to extend to things already past. 1792N. Chipman Rep. (1871) 38 The deed given in 1762..becomes good from the date by retrospect.
2. A backward look or view. rare.
1675Art Contentment v. vii. 205 Every impious act would like the prohibited retrospect of Lots wife, fix us perpetual monuments of Divine vengeance. a1817T. Dwight Trav. New Eng., etc. (1821) II. 152 At the South-Eastern extremity of this farm, we had a new, and very interesting, retrospect of these mountains.
b. A view or survey of past time, esp. with reference to one's own life or experiences.
1678R. L'Estrange Seneca's Mor. (1702) 237 The Passage of Time is wonderfully quick, and a Man must look backward to see it: And in that Retro-spect he has all past Ages at a View. 1712Steele Spect. No. 374 ⁋1 To sit still and throw away the Time in our Possession, by Retrospect on what is past. 1759Johnson Rasselas xlv, My retrospect of life recalls to my view many opportunities of good neglected. 1807–8W. Irving Salmag. (1824) 233 This, of all others, is the most auspicious moment..for indulging in a retrospect. 1856Sir B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. I. iv. 132 The hopes and fears connected with the retrospect of a well-spent or ill-spent life. 1892Westcott Gospel of Life 195 The Jew did not dwell with a regretful retrospect on a lost Paradise.
c. A survey or review of some past course of events, acts, etc.; esp. a comprehensive or summary view of what has been done or has taken place in a particular sphere or line of things.
1663Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 91 The Committee..was orderd to continue the retrospect to all [offices] that have been sold since 29th June, 1660. 1787J. Barlow Oration 4th July 4 A modest retrospect of the truly dignified part already acted by our countrymen. 1803Med. Jrnl. X. 571 If this little tract were drawn up by a common hand,..we should not have introduced it into our Retrospect. 1865H. Phillips Amer. Paper Curr. II. 136 A short retrospect is now necessary to view what Congress determined upon. 1884Encycl. Brit. XVII. 96/1 Then for the first time the music reverts to the primary key for a retrospect of the entire matter of the first part.
3. a. attrib., passing into adj. Directed or referring to the past; retrospective.
1709Strype Ann. Ref. I. xxxix. 406 This letter of Mr. Fox, affording a pleasant retrospect view of the Queen's reign hitherto. 1741Warburton Div. Legat. II. 471 We agree that Christ's death hath a retrospect view. 1804J. Poole Irreg. Trans. Dept. For. Corps 63 Such claims as present themselves on the retrospect or deferred list. 1804Collins Scripscrap 171 Could we boast Pre-existence, and retrospect Sight. 1898Westm. Gaz. 7 Oct. 2/1 The hint..that the liking is due to the glamour of the retrospect view.
†b. In predicative use. (Cf. 1 b.) Obs. rare.
1709Tatler No. 67 ⁋2 My Jurisdiction, which extends not only to Futurity, but also is retrospect to Things past. 1755Monitor No. 20 I. 175 Nor can any one shew me how this clause can be said to be retrospect.
▪ II. ˈretrospect, v.
[f. prec., or ad. ppl. stem of L. retrōspicĕre.]
1. intr. To indulge in retrospection.
1659Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 270, I came here with a resolution not to retrospect. 1748Richardson Clarissa (1811) II. 267 If I could not thus retrospect and argue.
b. To look or refer back to; to reflect on.
1689T. Plunket Charac. Good Commander 48 They'll not retrospect to any thing Of Truth, when meekly urg'd. 1742Richardson Pamela III. 413 Would perhaps have thought it derogatory..to my present Station, and too much retrospecting to my former. 1764Mem. G. Psalmanazar 65 To retrospect with shame and remorse on a life so basely spent. a1804A. Hamilton Let. to J. Adams (Bartlett), To give a correct idea of the circumstances.., it may be useful to retrospect to an early period.
2. trans. To consider, regard, or think of (some person or thing) retrospectively.
a1734North Lives (1826) I. 336 The matters, by way of inquisition retrospected, are reducible to two heads. 1748Richardson Corr. (1804) IV. 232 We find this to be true by retrospecting that part of it we have passed over. 1804E. de Acton Tale without Title I. 156 Whenever I retrospect this circumstance, my mind is too full to make any comments. 1815Zeluca II. 1 The envy that always ensued from retrospecting those pleasures that had failed in promised enjoyment. 1896Lumsden Poems 52 Morosely, by a glowing fire I retrospect the habble. |