retrogressionn.
/ˌrɛtrə(ʊ)ˈɡrɛʃn/, U.S. /ˌrɛtrəˈɡrɛʃ(ə)n/ 1.
a. Movement in a reverse direction; movement backwards. Now chiefly in technical contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > movement in reverse direction
reversec1487
retrogression1604
retrogradationa1609
renversement1918
1604 T. Winter tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Third Dayes Creation 2 So doth the sea this day leaue his possession Of mountaines, knoles, and fields by retrogression [Fr. La mer quitte ce jour montagne apres montagne, Costaut apres costaut, campagne apres campagne].
1737 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II. (ed. 3) Retrogression, going backward.
1857 J. G. Wood Common Objects Sea Shore 121 The tail was the organ of retrogression; for when the lobster shoots through the water by means of the tail, it is in a backward direction.
1861 G. M. Musgrave By-roads in Picardy 296 What at first was mere retrogression..became eventually a rapid flight.
1934 Mod. Lang. Notes 49 299 Words of the rhyme line ei2 which now takes its place in numerical retrogression ei3, ei2, ei1.
2000 A. Ellis et al. tr. D. Bonavia in L. L. Minelli Inca World i. 131 The advance and retrogression of the frontier of this eastern farmland seems to have no connection with climatic fluctuations that may have benefited or hindered the growing of crops.
b. Mathematics. = regression n. 4c. Chiefly in point of retrogression n. at point n.1 Phrases 4k. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun]
retreat1594
reciprocation1603
retrocession1642
retrogradation1644
disadvancing1659
retrocedence1703
retrogression1704
backening1748
backwarding1765
throwback1851
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > [noun] > action or process
effectiona1652
retrogression1704
genesis1706
construction of equations1728
trace1834
tortuosity1867
quadrature1911
surgery1961
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > curve > [noun] > returning
retrogression1704
recurring curve1715
regression1728
1704 C. Hayes Treat. Fluxions vi. 153 The use of Fluxions in Investigating the Points of contrary Flexion and Retrogression of Curves.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Point of reflexion, in geometry, is commonly used instead of point of retrogradation, or retrogression.
1814 P. Barlow New Math. & Philos. Dict. at Inflection If after the retrogression the concavity of the two parts lie the same way, it is called a ramphoid.
1865 T. F. Betton tr. H. V. Regnault Elements Chem. I. 409 The curve of solubility of sulphate of soda presents a very remarkable form,..at about 33° C. presenting a point of retrogression from which the curve descends towards the axis of the abscissas.
1906 O. A. Kenyon tr. J. Caudel Handbk. Math. for Engineers vi. 624 A point of retrogression..may correspond to a tangent whose slope is not parallel to the y-axis.
1972 M. Kline Math. Thought xxiii. 550 A cusp is also called a stationary point or point of retrogression because a point moving along the curve must come to rest before continuing its motion.
c. Geology. = regression n. 4d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > sea or ocean > region of sea or ocean > [noun] > sea level > changes in sea level
reliction1603
retrogression1815
regression1902
glacio-eustatism1935
glacio-eustasy1962
1815 W. Hamilton East India Gazetteer 832/1 The general appearance of the Tunquin shore indicates a retrogression of the sea.
1952 W. J. Miller Introd. Hist. Geol. (ed. 6) xiii. 142 An extensive retrogression of the Late Niagaran sea ushered in Salina time.
2004 A. Siedlecka et al. in D. G. Gee & V. Pease Neoproterozoic Timanide Orogen Eastern Baltica 184/2 Retrogression, erosion and some tectonic movements..were followed by a marked deterioration of climate.
d. Music. The production of a given sequence of notes in reverse order. Cf. retrograde adj. 4d.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > passage executed in specific way
concerto grosso1724
legatoa1757
ad libitum1759
larghetto1760
moderato1762
bravura1787
pomposo1807
tutti1816
spiritoso1829
alla capella1859
alla marcia1860
passage work1865
retrogression1869
largamente1878
religioso1888
grandioso1914
animato1924
pesante1932
precipitato1955
1869 F. A. G. Ouseley Treat. Counterpoint xvii. 148 Counterpoints also may be devised by contrary motion, or by augmentation or diminution, or by retrogression.
1891 Encycl. Brit. Suppl. II. 70/1 In a canon by retrogression the responding parts repeat the notes of the melody backward.
1939 B. Fles tr. E. Křenek Music here & Now vii. 172 The Gregorian chant knew several other forms of relationship—above all, inversion and retrogression.
1990 M. L. Friedmann Ear Training for 20th Cent. Music iii. 23 Relations of this sort can be conceptualized as operations or processes, three of which are retrogression, transposition, and inversion.
2006 E. Hinkle-Turner Women Composers & Music Technol. U.S. iii. 73 A related work..uses a similar structure with several recurring pitch motives that are transformed with the traditional serial methods of transposition, retrogression, and inversion.
2. Astronomy and Astrology.
a. = retrogradation n. 1a, 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > planet > planetary movement > [noun] > retrograde motion
retrogradation?c1450
retrogration1567
regradation1607
retrograde1613
retrogression1619
retrocession1639
regression1640
regress1642
repedation1646
retrogation1646
antecedence1649
1619 J. Bainbridge Astron. Descr. Late Comet 5 The Comets motion of longitude was continually retrograde, contrary to the order of the signes..which retrogression hath beene noted in many other Comets.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 288 The arise or descent of the starres can be no reasonable rule unto distant Nations at all, and by reason of their retrogression but temporary unto any one. View more context for this quotation
1739 J. Keill Introd. True Astron. (ed. 3) xvi. 180 The retrogressions of Mars are greater than those of Jupiter.
c1823 Edinb. Encycl. (1830) XVI. 625/1 The period of the retrogression of the moon's node.
1873 R. A. Proctor Expanse of Heaven 94 His [sc. Saturn's] slow advance alternating with yet slower retrogressions.
1922 H. S. Jones Gen. Astron. 210 The middle of the period of retrogression occurs at inferior conjunction for an inferior planet and at opposition for an outer planet.
1959 A. Koestler Sleepwalkers iii. i. 145 The apparent ‘stations and retrogressions’ of the planets are due to the same cause.
2005 S. K. Jain Astrology xviii. 215 In those days it was believed that negative impact of a planet may increase during retrogression.
b. = precession n.2 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > great circle > ecliptic > cardinal points > precession of equinoxes
precession1594
recession1682
retrogression1794
1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. III. xxiv. 45 Sufficient to account for..the retrogression of the equinoctial points.
1869 E. Dunkin Midnight Sky 141 These four stars no longer hold these prominent offices, as the equinoxes and solstices are now in very different parts of the heavens, on account of their retrogression.
1902 Proc. Royal Irish Acad. 1900–02 6 450 The westward retrogression of the equinoctial points.
1994 T. Barton Anc. Astrol. 214 The retrogression of the equinoctial points when seen against the constellations.
3.
a. The action or fact of returning to an inferior or less developed state; deterioration, decline; regression; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > relapse > [noun]
again-falling1340
regressa1522
retrogration1567
regression1583
retrogradationa1609
reincidency1622
recess1641
retrogation1646
setback1669
retrogress1701
retrogression1757
backwarding1765
fallback1830
throwback1856
regressivity1890
1757 Centinel 27 Jan. 20 The progress of folly, and the retrogression of wisdom and knowledge.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. xxxviii. 469 Concurring by slow and imperceptible degrees, and sometimes with temporary retrogressions to advance the grand design.
1800 Monthly Rev. Oct. 203 We expect..a critical estimate of the progress or retrogression of taste at different periods, since genius must be presumed to be equal in all times.
1877 A. B. Edwards Thousand Miles up Nile v. 105 To trace the progression and retrogression of the arts from the Pyramid-builders to the Cæsars.
1905 T. Gilman (title) Some social theories of the Revolution, our present day retrogressions, the steps back.
1941 B. Miller Farewell Leicester Square vi. 123 What had happened that he had permitted himself this slipping-back, this retrogression?
2008 Daily Mail (Nexis) 4 June 57 Men such as he are threatened by women as equals. Blame and retrogression cannot solve today's challenges.
b. Biology. Reversion to an earlier phylogenetic or ontogenetic form; an instance of this. Cf. regression n. 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > heredity or hereditary descent > [noun] > production unlike parents > atavism
retrogression1826
atavism1833
reversion1833
recurrence1862
1826 Lancet 12 Aug. 621/2 The..condition of the substance of the bone in caries, arises from the retrogression of the part to the state of its earlier development, which it must undergo before it is thrown off.
1847 A. Tulk tr. L. Oken Elements Physiophilos. 570 Decomposition is a separation into Monads, a retrogression into the primary mass of the animal kingdom.
1872 C. Darwin Origin of Species (ed. 6) iv. 99 A situation in which several organs would be superfluous or useless: in such cases there would be retrogression in the scale of organisation.
1908 J. B. Pettigrew Design in Nature I. 247 Evolution and retrogression are diametrically opposed to each other.
1997 S. U. Dani et al. Princ. Neural Aging xxiv. 330/1 In pilocytic astrocytoma, a retrogression into phylogenetic younger forms seems to occur.
c. Medicine. = regression n. 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > recovery > process of healing of an injury, etc. > [noun] > disappearance of an eruption
retrocession1804
retrogression1842
1842 Lancet 31 Dec. 489/1 Assuming..that no retrogression can be accomplished, it matters comparatively but little to the patient whether he lives with tubercles in his lungs or not, so long as he lives.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 478 These papules are inclined to be obtusely conical at first, but flatten down; in the course of retrogression they become pale, polished, angular in outline.
1933 Science 30 June 632/2 Steady, progressive growth [of the tumor] is the rule, with temporary cessation of growth or retrogression a rare occurrence.
1972 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 8 Feb. 2/1 Men may experience a certain slackening in sexual interest that may be related to what medical literature calls ‘male climacteric’ (a retrogression of the sex glands).
Derivatives
ˌretroˈgressional adj. characterized by or involving retrogression; retrogressive, retrograde.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > relapse > [adjective] > of character of
retrogressional1851
1851 A. J. Davis Great Harmonia II. 8 The author discovers, on his interior and retrogressional examination of the statements referred to, that his friends were confounded with wonder.
1889 Pop. Sci. Monthly May 23 Some of these [manipulations], from a technical point of view, seem retrogressional.
1958 Bot. Rev. 24 181 There are directional changes, both successional and retrogressional, in arctic and alpine areas.
2002 S. L. Baker & K. L. Wallace Responsive Public Libr. (ed. 2) iv. 71 The retrogressional function of literature, which suggests that people may repeatedly read favorite categories of books or titles.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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