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retrorocket

or ret·ro-rock·et

[ re-troh-rok-it ]
/ ˈrɛ troʊˌrɒk ɪt /
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noun
a small, auxiliary rocket engine, forming a part of a larger rocket vehicle and having its exhaust nozzle pointed toward the direction of flight, for decelerating the larger rocket, separating one stage from another, etc.
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Origin of retrorocket

First recorded in 1945–50; retro- + rocket1

Words nearby retrorocket

retro-operative, retropack, retropulsion, retroreflective, retroreflector, retrorocket, retrorse, retroserrate, retroserrulate, retrosexual, retrospect
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for retrorocket

retrorocket
/ (ˈrɛtrəʊˌrɒkɪt) /
noun
a small auxiliary rocket engine on a larger rocket, missile, or spacecraft, that produces thrust in the opposite direction to the direction of flight in order to decelerate the vehicle or make it move backwardsOften shortened to: retro
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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