adj.
Pronunciation: ' re-tr ə - ˌ gr ā d
Function: 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