| retard | <pharmacology> Characterised by retarded action, said of a drug when it is supposed to exercise its maximum effect later in the cycle. (10 Mar 1998) |
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| retardate | A mildly pejorative term, which is decreasing in usage, for a person who has mental retardation. Origin: L. Retardo, to delay, hinder (05 Mar 2000) |
| retardation | Delay, hindrance, delayed development. Origin: L. Retardare = to slow down, impede (18 Nov 1997) |
| retardation plate | <optics> A plate placed in the path of a beam of polarized light for the purpose of introducing a difference in phase. Usually a quarter-wave plate and a first-order red plate are furnished with a polarizing microscope. See: quartz wedge, compensator. (10 Mar 1998) |
| retarded dentition | Dentition in which growth phenomena such as calcification, elongation, and eruption occur later than in the average range of normal variation as a result of some systemic metabolic dysfunction (e.g., hypothyroidism). (05 Mar 2000) |
| retarder | An agent used to slow the chemical hardening of gypsum, resins, or impression materials used in dentistry. (05 Mar 2000) |