Retrograde: meaning, definitions and examples
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retrograde
[ ˈrɛtrə(ʊ)ɡreɪd ]
planetary motion
Directed or moving backward, especially referring to the motion of a planet in its orbit. Retrograde motion is an optical illusion caused by the relative positions of Earth and the planet in question.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The apparent retrograde motion of Mars puzzled astronomers for centuries.
- During retrograde periods, it may feel like things are moving in reverse.
behavior
Involving a return to an earlier and typically worse state or condition. Regressive or declining.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The country's retrograde economic policies led to a recession.
- The company's decision to cut employee benefits was seen as a retrograde step.
Translations
Translations of the word "retrograde" in other languages:
🇵🇹 retrógrado
🇮🇳 प्रतिगामी
🇩🇪 rückläufig
🇮🇩 mundur
🇺🇦 ретроградний
🇵🇱 wsteczny
🇯🇵 逆行
🇫🇷 rétrograde
🇪🇸 retrógrado
🇹🇷 geriye dönük
🇰🇷 역행하는
🇸🇦 متراجع
🇨🇿 retrográdní
🇸🇰 retrográdny
🇨🇳 逆行
🇸🇮 retrograden
🇮🇸 afturfarandi
🇰🇿 артқа кеткен
🇬🇪 რეგრესი
🇦🇿 geriyə doğru
🇲🇽 retrógrado
Word origin
The word 'retrograde' originates from the Latin word 'retrogradus', which is derived from 'retro-' meaning 'backwards' and 'gradus' meaning 'step'. The term was first used in the context of planetary motion, describing the perceived backward movement of planets in the sky. Over time, 'retrograde' has also come to be used in a metaphorical sense to describe a regression or decline in various aspects.