■ adjective
1》 directed or moving backwards.
↘(of the order of something) reversed; inverse.
2》 reverting to an earlier and inferior condition.
3》 Geology (of a metamorphic change) resulting from a decrease in temperature or pressure.
4》 Astronomy & Astrology (of the apparent motion of a planet) in a reverse direction from normal (so from east to west), resulting from the relative orbital progress of the earth and the planet. The opposite of prograde .
↘ Astronomy (of the orbit or rotation of a planet or planetary satellite) in a reverse direction from that normal in the solar system.
■ verb
1》 go back in position or time.
2》 revert to an earlier and inferior condition.
3》 Astronomy show ~ motion.
Derivatives
retrogradation noun
~ly adverb
Origin
ME: from L. retrogradus , from retro 'backwards' + gradus 'step'.