flashback

• Nom désignant, dans un récit, une interruption de la chronologie pour revenir à un événement antérieur, ou le retour soudain et vif d'une expérience passée, souvent lié à la mémoire ou aux effets d'une drogue hallucinogène.

A noun referring to a transition in a narrative to an earlier event that interrupts the chronological flow, or an unexpected vivid recurrence of a past experience, often associated with memory or the effects of a hallucinogenic drug.

1. Narrative deviceB2formalart

   A scene in a story, film, or play that shows events that happened earlier, interrupting the main timeline.

   Retour en arrière

   • The film begins with a flashback to the protagonist's childhood.
   • The author used a flashback to explain the character's motivation.
   • Viewers see a flashback of the couple's first meeting.

   Synonymescutbackretrospection

2. Recurring memoryB2informalmedical

   A sudden and vivid re‑experience of a past event, often associated with trauma or the aftereffects of hallucinogenic drugs.

   retour en arrière traumatique

   • He suffered a flashback of the accident while driving.
   • Some veterans experience flashbacks long after combat ends.
   • The drug can cause unexpected flashbacks days after use.

   Synonymesre-experiencingreliving