retrogradation Definition

retrograde
adj

1. Being, tending towards or causing a worse, less advanced or less desirable state.

Thesaurus: regressive, degenerative, deteriorating, declining, worsening, relapsing, reverse, inverse, backward; Antonym: progressive.
2. Moving or bending backwards.
3. In a reversed or opposite order.
4a. astron.
Said of a planet, etc: seeming to move in the opposite or contrary direction to other planets, etc;
4b. astron.
Said of a planet, etc: seeming to move from east to west.

verb, intr retrograded, retrograding

1. To move backwards.
2. To deteriorate or decline.
3. astron.
Said of a planet: to show retrograde movement.

Derivative: retrogradation
noun

Derivative: retrogradely
adverb

Etymology: 14c: from Latin retrogradus going backwards, from gradi to go or walk.