retardation
retardation — noun
1. the condition of developing or happening at a slower rate than is normal or expe
the condition of developing or happening at a slower rate than is normal or expected
Hari's construction project suffered a retardation when the building materials did not arrive on time.
Early treatment helped reduce the retardation of Layla's physical development caused by the rare condition.
pattern: retardation + of + noun phrase
Economic retardation in the coastal region was blamed on poor roads and weak foreign investment.
Gabriela's research focused on the factors that cause growth retardation in young plants.
The drought caused growth retardation in the maize crop across Caleb's village, cutting the harvest by half.
- delay
broader term for any instance of being late or postponed; less formal than 'retardation'
- slowdown
focuses on a reduction in speed or rate, often used in economic or production contexts
- deceleration
more technical, often used in physics or transport contexts to describe a reduction in velocity
- acceleration
increase in speed or rate of progress
- advancement
forward movement or improvement, the opposite of being held back
文法句型
retardation + in + noun phrase
retardation + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often appears in compound phrases such as "growth retardation" or "economic retardation." Not used for short, everyday delays — for those, use "delay."
常見錯誤
2. an outdated medical label for a condition where a person has much lower than usu
an outdated medical label for a condition where a person has much lower than usual intellectual ability, now called an intellectual disability
The 1970s medical file used the word retardation for a condition now called intellectual disability.
historical clinical term contrasted with modern term
Mayumi found the word retardation in old medical reports from Taiwan and Japan from the 1960s.
The old textbook called intellectual disability mental retardation, a term that has since been replaced.
Élise studied the hospital's 1970s records; every file labelled mental retardation had nearly identical results.
Eitan read in a medical journal that European hospitals stopped using retardation by the late 1990s.
- intellectual disability
the modern, respectful term for this condition; preferred in all current clinical and educational contexts
- cognitive impairment
broader term that includes various types and degrees of reduced cognitive function
- developmental disability
umbrella term covering intellectual disabilities and other conditions that begin during development
文法句型
mental retardation (historical compound)
retardation as a standalone clinical label
用法筆記
This sense is now considered outdated and potentially offensive. In modern professional and educational settings, use 'intellectual disability' instead. The term was commonly used in medical records and legislation from the early 1900s through the late 20th century.