So as to retard or hinder.

plural of retarding

Alternative form of retardancy

plural of retardation

(often in combination) Serving to impede (slow down) the action of something

(often in combination) Something that serves to retard (slow down) the action of something

(acoustics) The distance by which one wave is behind another. / (music) The act of diminishing the rate of speed. / (telegraphy) A decrease in the speed of telegraph signalling.

Delayed; delayed in development, hindered; impeded. / (psychology, now offensive, dated) Having mental retardation; mentally deficient or underdeveloped.

simple past tense and past participle of retard

(physics) The difference in phase shift between two characteristic polarizations of light upon reflection from an interface. Retardance can be reported in the Abelès or Mueller conventions. The retardance phase shift angle is often specified in degrees.