Shy and retiring in retrospect? (8)
I believe the answer is:
backward
This clue could be a double definition.
'shy' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'retiring in retrospect?' is the second definition.
'backward' can be an answer for 'retiring' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'in retrospect?' bit.
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for backward that I've seen before include "not very bright" , "not at all apt" , "Retiring" , "less advanced than usual?" , "Retarded" .)