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retard definition

re·tard (ri tärd′; for n. 2 rē′tärd′)

transitive verb

to hinder, delay, or slow the advance or progress of

Etymology: LME retarden < OFr retarder < L retardare < re-, back + tardare, to make slow < tardus, slow: see tardy

intransitive verb

to be delayed or undergo retardation

noun

  1. a retarding; delay
  2. Slang
    1. a retarded person: an offensive term of contempt
    2. a stupid or foolish person

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

retard Synonyms

retard

v.

hinder, delay, impede, slow down; see delay 1, hinder.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

retard Usage Examples

Object

  • ignition: Some sources say that retarding the ignition timing a few degrees will suffice.

Used with why or when

  • who: The Adam Sandler fan retards who labeled the film boring were more on target than most critics.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

  • due: Vitamin E is an antioxidant which can help keep you looking younger by retarding cellular aging due to oxidation.

Modifying Another Word

  • actually: In rabbits the same technique was unsuccessful, with denudation actually retarding recovery threefold ( Buehler and Newman 1964 ).

Preposition: than

  • minger: Logged " I suppose I would rather be a retard than a minger.
retard usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

retard quotes

If the changes we fear be thus irresistible, what remains but to acquiesce with silence, as in the other insurmountable distresses of humanity? It remains that we retard what we cannot repel, that we palliate what we cannot cure.

-Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

retard quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"retard." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/retard>

APA Style

retard. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/retard

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