retrospectoscope

English

Alternative forms

• retrospectroscope

Etymology

From retrospect(ive) +‎ -o- +‎ -scope.

Noun

retrospectoscope (plural retrospectoscopes)

1. (slang, humorous) A hypothetical instrument that allows diagnostic and management decisions to be made with medical hindsight.
   • 1972, American Veterinary Medical Association. Council on Education, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, University of Athens. School of Veterinary Medicine, Learning experiences: proceedings:

     A distinguished private foundation, that shall be nameless, offered me a small grant if l would test out their crystal ball with its two new attachments; one of them called the retrospectoscope and the other called the prognosticator.

   • 1983, Bernard N. Nathanson, The abortion papers: inside the abortion mentality, →ISBN:

     The view through the retrospectoscope is almost always clear, precise, and correct.

   • 1991, Herbert L. Fred, Say Aah (hah)!: A Medical Educator Mouths Off:

     Once we are proficient in using both the retrospectoscope and the prospectoscope, we are ready to use the perspectoscope—the scope that all patients deserve.

   • 1994, Virginia L. Miller, Molecular Genetics of Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Tribute to Stanley Falkow, Amer Society for Microbiology

     The retrospectoscope is a marvelous instrument, particularly if it is supplied with rose-colored lenses. I cannot pretend to reconstruct objectively the events that affected my career.

   • 2000, Nicholas H. Dodman, Dogs Behaving Badly: An A-Z Guide to Understanding and Curing Behavorial Problems in Dogs, Bantam, →ISBN:

     Using the famous "retrospectoscope" technique, in which events of the past can be brought into sharper focus, one can sometimes identify the fear-inducing stimulus quite accurately in time and space.

   • 2002, Jane Poulson, The Doctor Will Not See You Now, Novalis Press (CN)

     I have also had to learn that just as the lens of the retrospectoscope provides false clarity, the lens of unbridled optimism distorts reality.

Coordinate terms

• prospectoscope (fancy technological version of a crystal ball)

Related terms

• retrospectography (not jocular)
• retrospectoscopy
• perspectoscope

Translations

hypothetical medical instrument