Re`tro*act"ive (?), a. [Cf. F. rétroactif.] Fitted or designed to
retroact; operating by returned action; affecting what is past;
retrospective. Beddoes.
Retroactive law or 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.
Re`tro*act"ive*ly, adv. In a retroactive manner.
Re"tro*cede (?), v. t. [Pref. retro- + cede: cf. F. rétrocéder.] To
cede or grant back; as, to retrocede a territory to a former
proprietor.
Re"tro*cede, v. i. [L. retrocedere; retro backward, back + cedere to
go. See Cede.] To go back.
Re`tro*ced"ent (?), a. [L. retrocedens, p. pr.] Disposed or likely to
retrocede; -- said of diseases which go from one part of the body to
another, as the gout.
Re`tro*ces"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. rétrocession. See Retrocede.] 1. The
act of retroceding.