hindsight

From hind +‎ sight, 19th c. Etymologically almost the exact Germanic equivalent to the Latin-derived retro (back) + spect (look).

• IPA^(key): /ˈhaɪndsaɪt/

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hindsight (countable and uncountable, plural hindsights)

1. Realization or understanding of the significance and nature of events after they have occurred.

   You know what they say, hindsight is twenty-twenty.

   • When you read "Seven Little Rabbits" at age 6 and read it again 15 years later, the hindsight you've developed in the time between will make you look at and think of the book very differently!
   • 1961 March, “Talking of trains”, in Trains Illustrated, page 133:

     Hindsight is more easily acquired than foresight.

2. (rare) The rear sight of a firearm.

• foresight

• sight