ex post facto

[ eks pohst fak-toh ]

adverb

1. from or by subsequent action; retroactively; subsequently; retrospectively.

adjective

1. having retroactive force; made or done subsequently:

   an ex post facto law.

ex post facto

/ ɛks pəʊst ˈfæktəʊ /

adjective

1. having retrospective effect

   an ex post facto law

ex post facto

¹

1. A descriptive term for an explanation or a law that is made up after an event and then applied to it: “The chairman's description of his plan sounds like an ex post facto attempt to justify an impulsive action.” Ex post facto is Latin for “from after the deed.”

ex post facto

²

1. An explanation or regulation concocted after the event, sometimes misleading or unjust: “Your ex post facto defense won't stand up in court.” ( See ex post facto law .) From Latin , meaning “after the deed.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ex post facto¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin: “from a thing done afterward, from what is done afterward”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ex post facto¹

C17: from Latin ex from + post afterwards + factus done, from facere to do

Example Sentences

NRA defends the constitutional right to something similar, ex post facto.

From The Daily Beast

The caution holds true for those weighing the ex post facto accounts of former presidents.

From The Daily Beast

Now this was a novel experience—having my phone calls monitored, ex post facto, by a livid legislator.

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Bays and her husband had driven to town, and there was no need for ex post facto resolutions.

From Project Gutenberg

They say the Taupou had a gun and fired; probably an excuse manufactured ex post facto.

From Project Gutenberg

Other jurors claimed that they had decided Donnely was guilty, but that was probably an ex post facto switch.

From Project Gutenberg

An ex post facto law was brought in with great precipitation, for annulling this dividend.

From Project Gutenberg

It would bring a little real militarism into the family and give a kind of ex post facto justification to his ancient title.

From Project Gutenberg