Main Entry:

¹re·tard

Pronunciation:

\ri-ˈtärd\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- + tardus slow

Date:

15th century

transitive verb 1 : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : impede 2 : to delay academic progress by failure to promote intransitive verb : to undergo retardation

synonyms see delay

— re·tard·er noun