Definitions for: Retrograde


[adj] of amnesia; affecting time immediately preceding trauma
[adj] moving or directed or tending in a backward direction or contrary to a previous direction
[adj] (astronomy) moving from east to west on the celestial sphere; or--for planets--around the sun in a direction opposite to that of the Earth
[adj] going from better to worse
[v] get worse; fall back to a previous or worse condition
[v] go back over; "retrograde arguments"
[v] move back; "The glacier retrogrades"
[v] move in a direction contrary to the usual one; of stars and planets
[v] move backward in an orbit, of celestial bodies



Webster (1913) Definition: Re"tro*grade, a. [L. retrogradus, from retrogradi,
retrogressus, to retrograde; retro back + gradi to step: cf.
F. r['e]trograde. See Grade.]
1. (Astron.) Apparently moving backward, and contrary to the
succession of the signs, that is, from east to west, as a
planet. --Hutton.

And if he be in the west side in that condition,
then is he retrograde. --Chaucer.

2. Tending or moving backward; having a backward course;
contrary; as, a retrograde motion; -- opposed to
progressive. ``Progressive and not retrograde.''
--Bacon.

It is most retrograde to our desire. --Shak.

3. Declining from a better to a worse state; as, a retrograde
people; retrograde ideas, morals, etc. --Bacon.


Re"tro*grade, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Retrograded; p.
pr. & vb. n. Retrograding.] [L. retrogradare, retrogradi:
cf. F. r['e]trograder.]
1. To go in a retrograde direction; to move, or appear to
move, backward, as a planet.

2. Hence, to decline from a better to a worse condition, as
in morals or intelligence.

Synonyms: backward, declining, deteriorating, failing, regress, regressing, regressive, rehash, retral, retreat, retrogress, retrogressive

Antonyms: advance, anterograde, come along, come on, direct, get along, get on, progress, shape up

See Also: decline, drop off, fall back, fall back, fall behind, go, locomote, lose, move, orbit, recap, recapitulate, recede, recede, retire, revolve, travel, worsen

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