retrorse

[ ri-trawrs, ree-trawrs ]

/ rɪˈtrɔrs, ˈri trɔrs /

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adjective

turned backward.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of retrorse

1815–25; <Latin retrōrsus, contracted form of retrōversus bent backward, equivalent to retrō-retro- + versus (past participle of vertere to turn); see retroversion

OTHER WORDS FROM retrorse

re·trorse·ly, adverb

Words nearby retrorse

retropack, retropulsion, retroreflective, retroreflector, retrorocket, retrorse, retroserrate, retroserrulate, retrosexual, retrospect, retrospection

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use retrorse in a sentence

The dorsal fin has a large spine with retrorse serrations behind.
A Guide to the Study of Fishes, Volume 1 (of 2)|David Starr Jordan

British Dictionary definitions for retrorse

retrorse

/ (rɪˈtrɔːs) /

adjective

(esp of plant parts) pointing backwards or in a direction opposite to normal

Derived forms of retrorse

retrorsely, adverb

Word Origin for retrorse

C19: from Latin retrōrsus, shortened form of retrōversus turned back, from retro- + vertere to turn

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