retrograde

Verb · Adjective
Synonyms: retreatrehashhash overregressretrogressretrogressiveretral

WordNet 3.0

Verb (5)

  1. move backward in an orbit, of celestial bodies
  2. move in a direction contrary to the usual one“retrograding planets”
  3. move back“The glacier retrogrades”Synonyms: retreat
  4. go back over“retrograde arguments”Synonyms: rehashhash over
  5. get worse or fall back to a previous conditionSynonyms: regressretrogress

Adjective (4)

  1. moving from east to west on the celestial sphere; or--for planets--around the sun in a direction opposite to that of the Earth
  2. of amnesia; affecting time immediately preceding trauma
  3. going from better to worseSynonyms: retrogressive
  4. moving or directed or tending in a backward direction or contrary to a previous directionSynonyms: retral
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Retrograde \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. [1913 Webster]

And if he be in the west side in that condition, then is he retrograde.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

2.Tending or moving backward; having a backward course; contrary; as, a retrograde motion; -- opposed to progressive. "Progressive and not retrograde." --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

It is most retrograde to our desire.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.Declining from a better to a worse state; as, a retrograde people; retrograde ideas, morals, etc. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

Retrograde \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. [1913 Webster]

2.Hence, to decline from a better to a worse condition, as in morals or intelligence. [1913 Webster]

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