retrofit
verb
- adapt for older technology
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L326747 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɹɛtɹə(ʊ)ˌfɪt/ / /ˈɹɛtɹoʊˌfɪt/ / /ˌɹɛtɹəʊˈfɪt/ / /ˌɹɛtɹoʊˈfɪt/
noun
Etymology: The verb is derived from retro- (prefix meaning ‘back; backward’) + fit (“to equip, supply”). The noun, which is first attested later than the verb, is either derived: * from the verb (see above); or * from retro- + fit (“act of fitting; conformity of elements one to another”).
- An act of supplying a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; a retrofitting.
- A change made to a device, structure, etc., by introducing components or parts that were not previously available or installed.
verb
Etymology: The verb is derived from retro- (prefix meaning ‘back; backward’) + fit (“to equip, supply”). The noun, which is first attested later than the verb, is either derived: * from the verb (see above); or * from retro- + fit (“act of fitting; conformity of elements one to another”).
- To supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; to modernize.
“Trams dating from 2012 have been retro-fitted with lithium batteries, with the conversions starting in 2018.”
“The project involves retrofitting Google’s Pixel smartphones to certain subway cars to collect sounds and other data and feed it into Google’s Cloud. […] When asked why the devices were retrofitted on older models instead of newer ones, Sarno said the MTA typically uses older car models when making modifications in case there are any unwanted effects.”
- To add or substitute (new components or parts) that were not previously available for or installed in a device, structure, etc.
- Synonym of backport (“to retroactively supply a fix or feature to a previous version of a software product at the same time or after supplying it to the current version.”).
“The bug was so bad that we had to retrofit our patch to the last three releases, as well as the newest release.”
- To give new characteristics or make alterations (to someone or something) to suit them to changed circumstances.
- To supply a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed.