Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [re-truh-greyd]
- /ˈrɛ trəˌgreɪd/
- /ˈret.rə.ɡreɪd/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [re-truh-greyd]
- /ˈrɛ trəˌgreɪd/
Definitions of retrograde word
- adjective retrograde moving backward; having a backward motion or direction; retiring or retreating. 1
- adjective retrograde inverse or reversed, as order. 1
- adjective retrograde Chiefly Biology. exhibiting degeneration or deterioration. 1
- adjective retrograde Astronomy. moving in an orbit in the direction opposite to that of the earth in its revolution around the sun. appearing to move on the celestial sphere in the direction opposite to the natural order of the signs of the zodiac, or from east to west. Compare direct (def 25). 1
- adjective retrograde Music. proceeding from the last note to the first: a melody in retrograde motion. 1
- adjective retrograde Archaic. contrary; opposed. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of retrograde
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English (adj.) < Latin retrōgradus going back, derivative of retrōgradī, equivalent to retrō- retro- + gradī to step, go; see grade
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Retrograde
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
retrograde popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 69% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
retrograde usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for retrograde
adj retrograde
- anti-thetical — of the nature of or involving antithesis.
- opposite — situated, placed, or lying face to face with something else or each other, or in corresponding positions with relation to an intervening line, space, or thing: opposite ends of a room.
verb retrograde
- backtrack — If you backtrack on a statement or decision you have made, you do or say something that shows that you no longer agree with it or support it.
- boil down — When you boil down a liquid or food, or when it boils down, it is boiled until there is less of it because some of the water in it has changed into steam or vapour.
- break down — If a machine or a vehicle breaks down, it stops working.
- cave in — If something such as a roof or a ceiling caves in, it collapses inwards.
- change one's mind — to alter one's decision or opinion
adv retrograde
- backwards — If you move or look backwards, you move or look in the direction that your back is facing.
adjective retrograde
- backward — A backward movement or look is in the direction that your back is facing. Some people use backwards for this meaning.
- degenerate — If you say that someone or something degenerates, you mean that they become worse in some way, for example weaker, lower in quality, or more dangerous.
- flipside — (music) The B-side of a phonograph record.
- lapsing — Present participle of lapse.
Antonyms for retrograde
adjective retrograde
- improving — to bring into a more desirable or excellent condition: He took vitamins to improve his health.
Top questions with retrograde
- what is mercury retrograde?
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- what is retrograde?
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- when does mercury go out of retrograde?
- what is the difference between prograde rotation and retrograde rotation?
- when does mercury go retrograde?
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- what is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?
See also
Matching words
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