Etymology
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”).
Verb
retrofit (third-person singular simple present retrofits, present participle retrofitting, simple past and past participle retrofitted) (originally US)
- (transitive)
- 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.
- To add or substitute (new components or parts) that were not previously available for or installed in a device, structure, etc.
- Synonym: backfit
- (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.
- (figuratively) To give new characteristics or make alterations (to someone or something) to suit them to changed circumstances.
- (intransitive) To supply a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed.
Translations
(
transitive) to supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed
— see also modernize
(transitive) to add or substitute (new components or parts) that were not previously available for or installed in a device, structure, etc.
to give new characteristics or make alterations (to someone or something) to suit them to changed circumstances
(intransitive) to supply a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed
- Finnish: saada jälkikäteisasennuksena
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Noun
retrofit (plural retrofits) (originally US)
- 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.
Translations
act of supplying a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed
— see also retrofitting
change made to a device, structure, etc., by introducing components or parts that were not previously available or installed
- Finnish: jälkikäteisasennus; jälkikäteisasennettu (adjective)
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