I. ˈre-trə-ˌgrād adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin retrogradus, from retrogradi
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(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
the retrograde motion of Mercury
(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.
(1) : moving, occurring, or performed in a backward direction
a retrograde step
(2) : occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow
retrograde ejaculation
— compare anterograde 1
c. : contrary to the normal order : inverse
2. : tending toward or resulting in a worse or previous state
3. archaic : contradictory , opposed
4. : characterized by retrogression
5. : affecting memories of a period prior to a shock or seizure
retrograde amnesia
6. : retro
retrograde fashion
• ret·ro·grade·ly adverb
II. adverb
Date: circa 1619
: backward , reversely
III. verb
Etymology: Latin retrogradi, from retro- + gradi to go — more at grade
Date: 1582
transitive verb
archaic : to turn back : reverse
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to go back : retreat
b. : to go back over or recapitulate something
2. : to decline to a worse condition