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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

retroact en · VERB

Etymology

From retro- + act.

Meanings

  1. To act retrospectively or in opposition
    • In their eyes the past was good or bad for itself, and the present good or bad for itself, and an evil past could no more shadow a virtuous present than a virtuous present could retroact to brighten or redeem an ugly past. 1884, Edward Bellamy, “Chapter 15”, in Miss Ludington's Sister:
  2. to be retrospective.
  3. To apply (a law) retroactively to situations that predate the enactment of the law.
    • Sec. 4. The effectivity of this Act shall retroact to January 1, 2001. 2001, Republic of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9010:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
retroacting Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
retroacted Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
retroacted Tense=Past lexicographic
retroacts Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic

Translations (2)

fr rétroagir (to act backward, or in return; to act in opposition; to be retrospective) · it retroagire (to act backward, or in return; to act in opposition; to be retrospective)