retarded
- 01 C2 Proficiency
describes a signal or force that is delayed because it takes time to travel.
designating a parameter, such as an electromagnetic field, that is adjusted to account for the finite speed of propagation.
Simple“The scientist calculated the retarded potential of the electromagnetic wave.”
In context“In electrodynamics, the retarded time accounts for the interval required for an effect to propagate from the source to the observer at the speed of light.”
UsageUsed almost exclusively in specialized physics contexts regarding wave propagation.
- 02 C1 Advanced
slowed down or held back in growth or progress.
characterized by a delay in development, growth, or progress.
Simple“The cold weather resulted in the retarded growth of the garden crops.”
In context“Economic recovery was retarded by the sudden collapse of the regional banking sector and subsequent lack of credit.”
UsageIn modern contexts, this sense is usually applied to inanimate objects or abstract processes like 'growth' or 'progress'.
Antonyms
“He’s now not only out of the game, but has apparently been described by Trump, variously, as weak, confused, dumb, an idiot, a disgrace, and “mentally retarded”.”
“After that, Yiannopoulos returned to the platform with a series of inflammatory posts, including one that called the “Muslim world functionally retarded”.”
From retard + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.