ret ‧ ro ‧ grade /ˈretrəɡreɪd/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: retrogradus , from gradi 'to go' ]
1 . formal involving a return to an earlier and worse situation SYN backward :
The closure of the factories is seen as a retrograde step.
2 . technical moving backwards SYN backward