Definition

Relating to the act of inferring past events based on present evidence or knowledge.

Example

The scientist used a retrodictive approach to understand the historical climate changes.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term retrodictive?

No, I haven't. What does it mean?

It refers to something related to retrodiction, like making predictions about the past.

That sounds interesting! I guess it could help in understanding past events better.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Retrodictive → It is formed from "retro-" (meaning backward) and "dict" (from Latin "dicere", meaning to say or declare) and the suffix "-ive" (meaning having the nature of). The word "retrodictive" refers to the nature of declaring or predicting something based on past events or data.

Memory Tip

Think of looking 'backward' ('retro-') to 'declare' or 'say' ('dicere') something about the past — that's what retrodictive means.

Visually Confused Words