retarded

Adjective

retarded (comparative more retarded, superlative most retarded)

1. Delayed; delayed in development, hindered; impeded.
   • This kind of plant is usually of a retarded growth.
   • The last zone, lying beyond the Ch‘ang-pai mountains, was in special isolation and culturally as retarded as regions much farther north.1971, William Watson, Cultural Frontiers in Ancient East Asia, Edinburgh University Press, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 128
2. (dated, offensive, sometimes) Having mental retardation; mentally deficient or underdeveloped.
   • Experts in the field say there are now at least 200,000 retarded people over 60 in the United States.1990 October 28, Tamar Lewin, “As the Retarded Live Longer, Anxiety Grips Aging Parents”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 25 May 2015, U.S.
   • One day the order of things begins to unravel. First, the doctor, on horseback, is tripped up by an invisible wire and his injuries put him in the hospital for months. Then several children, including the son of the Baron and the retarded child of the doctor’s mistress, are severely beaten. Later...2009 May 25, Peter Brunette, “Cannes winner "White Ribbon" seriously stunning”, in Reuters, archived from the original on 29 Apr 2023

   Synonyms:

   mentally retarded

3. (dated, offensive, sometimes) Specifically, having an IQ below 70.
4. (colloquial, derogatory, offensive) Extremely stupid; obtuse
   • Looking at Jack, Gabbie said, "What?" "That's the Troll Bridge." She groaned at the pun. "That's retarded."1988, Raymond E Feist, Faerie Tale
   • I've got a terrific sign in front of my house that keeps intruders out: Retarded Pit Bull High on Angel Dust. No one's come over the wall yet. Except a couple of retarded guys who were high on angel dust.1997, George Carlin, “SIGNS”, in Brain Droppings, New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 66
5. Designating a parameter of an electromagnetic field which is adjusted to account for the finite speed of radiation.