Retardation
 

retardation
noun1.a decrease in rate of change; "the deceleration of the arms race"[syn: deceleration][ant: acceleration]2.the extent to which something is delayed or held back3.any agent that retards or delays or hinders; "flame-retardant"[syn: retardant]4.lack of normal development of intellectual capacities5.the act of slowing down or falling behind[syn: slowdown]