I. ri-ˈtärd verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- + tardus slow
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : impede
2. : to delay academic progress by failure to promote
intransitive verb
: to undergo retardation
Synonyms: see delay
• re·tard·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1788
1. ri-ˈtärd : a holding back or slowing down : retardation
2. ˈrē-ˌtärd often offensive : a retarded person ; also : a person held to resemble a retarded person in behavior