apparently moving backward, and contrary to the succession of the signs, that is, from east to west, as a planet.-tending or moving backward; having a backward course; contrary; as, a retrograde motion; -- opposed to progressive.-declining from a better to a worse state; as, a retrograde people; retrograde ideas, morals, etc.-to go in a retrograde direction; to move, or appear to move, backward, as a planet.-hence, to decline from a better to a worse condition, as in morals or intelligence.