| retrogression | 1. The act of retrograding, or going backward; retrogradation. 2. <biology> Backward development; a passing from a higher to a lower state of organization or structure, as when an animal, approaching maturity, becomes less highly organised than would be expected from its earlier stages or known relationship. Synonym: retrograde development, and regressive metamorphism. Origin: Cf. F. Retrogression. See Retrograde, and cf. Digression. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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