retrogradation

American  

[re-troh-grey-dey-shuhn] / ˌrɛ troʊ greɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. backward movement.

2. decline or deterioration.

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Other Word Forms

• retrogradatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of retrogradation

1545–55; < Late Latin retrōgradātiōn- (stem of retrōgradātiō ), probably equivalent to Latin retrōgrad ( us ) retrograde + -ātiō -ation, as translation of Greek anapodismós

Example Sentences

The retrogradation of wheat starch in bread is responsible for staling.

From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2016

As it cools down, the starch goes through a process called retrogradation and the molecules begin to to rearrange and realign themselves into a crystalline structure again.

From Forbes • Nov. 23, 2011

The arc of retrogradation is the angular distance thus apparently traversed.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

As in the realm of irrational organisms, so in the history of mankind; it has to assume the most various ramifications with progress, stand-still, and retrogradation.

From The Theories of Darwin and Their Relation to Philosophy, Religion, and Morality by Zimmermann, G. A.

Frightful retrogradation of human nature, all the more hideous that it contrasted with the elegance of the costume!

From History of the Commune of 1871 by Lissagary, P.