English edit

Etymology edit

The verb is derived from retro- (prefix meaning ‘back; backward’) +‎ fit (to equip, supply).[1]

The noun, which is first attested later than the verb, is either derived:[2]

  • from the verb (see above); or
  • from retro- +‎ fit (act of fitting; conformity of elements one to another).

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

retrofit (third-person singular simple present retrofits, present participle retrofitting, simple past and past participle retrofitted) (originally US)

  1. (transitive)
    1. To supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; to modernize.
      Synonym: backfit
      • 2020 January 2, Richard Clinnick, “Midlands Metro Welcomes New Catenary-free Trams”, in Rail, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 16:
        Trams dating from 2012 have been retro-fitted with lithium batteries, with the conversions starting in 2018.
    2. To add or substitute (new components or parts) that were not previously available for or installed in a device, structure, etc.
      Synonym: backfit
    3. (computing) 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.
    4. (figuratively) To give new characteristics or make alterations (to someone or something) to suit them to changed circumstances.
  2. (intransitive) To supply a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed.

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Noun edit

retrofit (plural retrofits) (originally US)

  1. An act of supplying a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; a retrofitting.
  2. A change made to a device, structure, etc., by introducing components or parts that were not previously available or installed.

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Compare “retrofit, v.”, in OED Online  , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, March 2022; “retrofit, v.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
  2. ^ retrofit, n.”, in OED Online  , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, March 2022; “retrofit, n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

Further reading edit

Italian edit

Etymology edit

Unadapted borrowing from English retrofit.

Noun edit

retrofit m (invariable)

  1. retrofit