Retrogradation

Reˊtro-gra-da′tion

,

Noun.

[F.

rétrogradation

or L.

retrogradatio

. See

.]

1.

The act of retrograding, or moving backward.

2.

The state of being retrograde; decline.

, n.

1.

The act of moving backwards; applied to the apparent motion of the planets.

2.

A moving backwards; decline in excellence.

See also: rétrogradation

retrogradation ‎(countable and uncountable, plural retrogradations)

Motion in a retrograde manner.
Decline, degradation.
(chemistry) A reaction that takes place in gelatinized starch when the amylose and amylopectin chains realign themselves, largely responsible for bread becoming stale.
The major reason that bread stales is not moisture loss, but rather a process called retrogradation, in which the starch molecules in the bread crystallize.