'retrograde development' definitions:

Definition of 'retrograde development'

From: GCIDE
  • Retrogression \Re`tro*gres"sion\, n. [Cf. F. r['e]trogression. See Retrograde, and cf. Digression.]
  • 1. The act of retrograding, or going backward; retrogradation. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Biol.) Backward development; a passing from a higher to a lower state of organization or structure, as when an animal, approaching maturity, becomes less highly organized than would be expected from its earlier stages or known relationship. Called also {retrograde development}, and regressive metamorphism. [1913 Webster]