retarded

From retard +‎ -ed.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɹɪˈtɑːdɪd/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɹiˈtɑɹdɪd/

retarded (comparative more retarded, superlative most retarded)

1. Delayed; delayed in development, hindered; impeded. [from 17th c.]
   • 2004, Duncan Mackay, The Observer, 8 Aug 2004:

     HGH, which was originally developed to assist children with retarded growth, is believed to be especially popular with sprinters.

2. (psychology, now offensive, dated) Having mental retardation; mentally deficient or underdeveloped.
   • 2000, Kate Connolly, The Guardian, 19 Apr 2000:

     The European Roma Rights Centre in Budapest, which is representing the children - from the north-eastern city of Ostrava - said that the education ministry and local authorities had for decades "perpetuated a system which routinely brands disproportionate numbers of Gypsies as mentally retarded".

3. (psychology, now offensive, dated) Specifically, having an IQ below 70. [from 19th c.]
4. (colloquial, derogatory, offensive) Very stupid. [from 20th c.]
   • 1988, Raymond E Feist, Faerie Tale:

     Looking at Jack, Gabbie said, "What?" "That's the Troll Bridge." She groaned at the pun. "That's retarded."

5. (physics) Designating a parameter of an electromagnetic field which is adjusted to account for the finite speed of radiation. [from 20th c.]

retarded

1. simple past tense and past participle of retard

• retraded

From English retarded, from retard, from Middle English, from Anglo-Norman or Latin, from Old French retarder, from Latin retardāre (“to retard”), from re- + tardus (“slow”).

• Hyphenation: ceb‧re‧tar‧ded

retarded

1. retarded; having mental retardation; mentally deficient

retarded

1. a retard

For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:retarded.