retrograde
retrograde Lexical Profile
retrograde Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Reverting to an earlier, inferior, or less developed state; opposed to progress.
"Critics argued that cutting funding for public libraries was a retrograde step for the community."
Directed or moving backward in space or time.
"The patient suffered from retrograde amnesia and could not recall events leading up to the accident."
Moving or appearing to move in a direction opposite to that of most other celestial bodies in the solar system (in astronomy).
"Venus is one of the few planets in our solar system with a retrograde rotation."
• noun
The apparent backward motion of a planet as observed from Earth, or the period during which this occurs.
"Astrologers often blame communication mishaps on Mercury being in retrograde."
A process of degenerating or returning to an inferior condition.
"The economic policy resulted in a steady retrograde of living standards across the region."
• verb
To move backward, recede, or appear to move in a reverse direction (especially of a planet or celestial body).
"Every few months, the planet appears to retrograde against the background of fixed stars."
To revert to an earlier or inferior state; to deteriorate or decline.
"Without consistent practice, a student's fluency in a second language can quickly retrograde."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French or directly from Latin retrogradus ('going backward'), formed from retro- ('backward') and gradi ('to step or walk'). It originally entered English in the late 14th century as an astronomical term describing the apparent backward motion of planets across the sky.