retroactive

adj

Etymology: First attested in 1610. From French rétroactif, equivalent to retro- + active.

1. Extending in scope, effect, application or influence to a prior time or to prior conditions

   “Rather, he hoped there was some legal trickeration he could deploy to get a retroactive water right filed and end-run the opposition.”

   “Can such a child be ennobled by the passage of time, his struggles granted retroactive gravitas and his childish confusions rearticulated with adult clarity?”