backcast
|back-cast|
/ˈbæk.kæst/
project backward (estimate past)
Etymology
'backcast' is a modern English compound formed from 'back' + 'cast', created in technical contexts (modeling, meteorology, statistics) by analogy with 'forecast' and 'hindcast'.
'back' comes from Old English 'bæc' meaning 'back' or 'rear', while 'cast' ultimately traces to Old Norse 'kasta' / Old English 'cæstan' meaning 'to throw'. The compound 'backcast' arose in the 20th century as modeling vocabulary and became established in scientific literature.
The term initially meant 'to apply a forecast-style model to historical data' (a rearward projection). Over time it has been used more broadly to mean any retrospective model-based estimate of past conditions.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an estimate or model output of past conditions produced by running a model against historical data; a retrospective forecast used to test or validate a model.
The team's backcast matched the historical records closely, increasing confidence in the model.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to use a model or method to estimate or reconstruct past states or events by running it against historical data.
Researchers backcast past climate conditions using proxy records.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 2
past tense or past participle form of 'backcast'.
They backcast the period from 1980 to 2000 to evaluate the algorithm's performance.
Last updated: 2025/12/25 18:48