retrograde
Definitions
Directed or moving backward.
倒退的，逆行的。
Reverting to a worse or earlier condition.
退化的；走回头路的。
To move backward or decline.
倒退；逆行。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedretro- (backward) + grade (the grad- form of gradi, 'to step') = stepping backward. Note the grade spelling instead of -gress. Famous in astronomy: a planet in 'retrograde motion' appears to move backward across the sky.
Root gress still carries 64 more wordsWhy It Means This
Retrograde keeps the grad- spelling of the root rather than -gress, but the meaning is pure 'stepping backward.' Its most vivid life is in astronomy: from Earth, planets like Mars sometimes seem to reverse and move backward against the stars — apparent 'retrograde motion.' The word then spread to anything that goes backward: retrograde policies, retrograde amnesia (memory loss reaching backward in time).
Common Collocations
- 1.retrograde motion逆行运动
- 2.retrograde step倒退之举
- 3.retrograde amnesia逆行性遗忘症
- 4.[retrograde move]退步之举
Example Sentences
- 1.
Mercury is in retrograde, the astrologers warned.
- 2.
Cutting research funding is a retrograde move.
- 3.
He suffered retrograde amnesia after the accident.