retardations
Acts of slowing
Retardations are instances of slowing, delaying, or holding back progress.
The word appears in technical contexts—physics, music, developmental psychology—where it describes measurable decreases in rate or speed: The retardations in the tempo gave the piece a mournful quality.
In reference to intellectual disability, the term has fallen out of favor due to its association with the offensive slur "retard."
Rate of musical performance
- rallentandoGradual tempo reduction
- ritardandoGradual tempo decrease
- slowingDecreasing in velocity
- phrasingManner of expressing something
rubato · deceleration · broadening · gradual · notation · conducting · expression · passage
Acts of losing speed
- slowdownsReductions in speed
- brakingReducing speed deliberately
- dragResistance through fluid
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
inertia · dampening · resistance · kinetic
Pauses before proceeding
- disabilitiesConditions restricting normal function
- cognitiveRelating to thinking
- impairmentsDiminished functional capacities
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
diagnoses · assessments · interventions · therapies · special education · evaluations · milestones · conditions
Mental barriers limiting behavior
- rate reductionDecrease in charges
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
Art of choosing moments
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- engineMachine producing motion
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
advance · distributor · tuning · calibration
tempo
Rate of musical performance
- rallentandoGradual tempo reduction
- ritardandoGradual tempo decrease
- slowingDecreasing in velocity
phrasing · rubato · deceleration · broadening · gradual · notation · conducting · expression · passage · cadence
decelerations
Acts of losing speed
friction · inertia · dampening · resistance · kinetic
delays
Pauses before proceeding
- disabilitiesConditions restricting normal function
- cognitiveRelating to thinking
- impairmentsDiminished functional capacities
learning · diagnoses · assessments · interventions · therapies · special education · evaluations · milestones · conditions · deficits
inhibitions
Mental barriers limiting behavior
- rate reductionDecrease in charges
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- blockingImpeding forward progress
timing
Art of choosing moments
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- engineMachine producing motion
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
adjustment · advance · distributor · tuning · calibration
retardationsaccelerations
Velocity change rates
quickenings · speed-ups · speedups · hastening · expeditions
retardationsadvancements
Forward movements in development
progressions · accelerations · advances · giftedness · precocities
retardationsaccelerations
Velocity change rates
advancements · progressions · expeditions · promotions · furtherance
- mental retardationImpaired cognitive development