retard
verb /rɪˈtɑːd 
/ [with object]
/ [with object]Delay or hold back in terms of progress or development: his progress was retarded by his limp...
- He said the slow pace at which the deal was being negotiated was retarding the development of the park, which he said had remained closed to tourists for sometime.
- Famously, Forster accused the educational systems of the time of retarding the emotional development of schoolboys.
- Restrictive legislation could retard the development of technology and slow the growth of electronic commerce.
Synonyms
delay, slow down, slow up, hold back, set back, keep back, hold up, postpone, put back, detain, decelerate, put a brake on;
hinder, hamper, obstruct, inhibit, impede, handicap, hamstring, curb, check, restrain, restrict, arrest, interfere with, interrupt, encumber, clog
British informal throw a spanner in the works of
North American informal throw a monkey wrench in the works of
literary stay, trammel, cumber
noun /ˈriːtɑːd / informal, offensive
/ informal, offensiveA person who has a mental disability (often used as a general term of abuse).
Phrases
in retard
Derivatives
retardative
retardatory
retarder
/ noun ...- Also, since air retarders and vapor diffusion retarders serve different functions and have distinct characteristics, it may be more practical to install them as separate systems.
- The drivers are taught to use engine retarders instead of brakes, and if they have to use the brakes, to tap them lightly.
- Contractors are also encouraged to use evaporation retarders when weather conditions could cause excessive water evaporation from the slab.
retardment
- The lining not only forms a decorative finish to the hull but also acts as a very good fire retardment.
- It is shown that there is a direct relationship between spring retardment (Φ) and the neap to spring ratio.
Origin
Late 15th century: from French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- 'back' + tardus 'slow'.