verb , noun
■ verb
/ rɪˈtɑːd; NAmE rɪˈtɑːrd/ [ vn ] ( formal ) to make the development or progress of sth slower
SYN delay , slow down :
The progression of the disease can be retarded by early surgery.
► re·tard·ation / ˌriːtɑːˈdeɪʃn; NAmE ˌriːtɑːrˈd-/ noun [ U ]:
Many factors can lead to growth retardation in unborn babies.
■ noun
/ ˈriːtɑːd; NAmE ˈriːtɑːrd/ ( taboo , slang ) an offensive way of describing sb who is not intelligent or who has not developed normally
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent.: from French retarder , from Latin retardare , from re- back + tardus slow.