Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Retroactive

Retroactive , adjective

[Compare French rétroactif.]

Fitted or designed to retroact; operating by returned action; affecting what is past; retrospective. — Beddoes
Collocations (1)
Retroactive law or Retroactive statute (Law) , one which operates to make criminal or punishable, or in any way expressly to affect, acts done prior to the passing of the law.