Definition of retrograde
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a(1)
: having or being motion in a direction contrary to that of the general motion of similar bodies and especially east to west among the stars
Saturn is retrograde for another week
(2)
: having or being a direction of rotation or revolution that is clockwise as viewed from the north pole of the sky or a planet
a retrograde orbit
b
: moving, occurring, or performed in a backward direction
c
: occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow: such as
(1)
: occurring along nerve cell processes toward the cell body
retrograde degeneration of nerve fibers
— compare anterograde sense 1a
(2)
: occurring opposite to the normal direction or path of blood circulation
retrograde blood flow in veins with incompetent valves
— compare anterograde sense 1b
d
: contrary to the normal order : inverse
2
: tending toward or resulting in a worse or previous state
4
: characterized by retrogression
5
: affecting memories of a period prior to a precipitating event (such as brain injury or disease)
retrograde amnesia
— compare anterograde sense 2
6
: retro
retrograde fashion
retrograde
adverbretrograde
verb
retrograded; retrograding; retrogrades
Definition of retrograde (Entry 3 of 3)
archaic
: to turn back : reverse
1a
: to go back : retreat
b
: to go back over or recapitulate something
2
: to decline to a worse condition
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share retrograde
Time Traveler for retrograde
The first known use of retrograde was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century