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1. Relatively slow in mental, emotional or physical development
   "providing a secure and sometimes happy life for the retarded";
   - mentally retarded

1. People collectively who are mentally retarded
   "he started a school for the retarded";
   - mentally retarded, developmentally challenged

1. Cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
   "This drug will retard your heart rate"
    
2. Be delayed
    
3. Slow the growth or development of
   "The brain damage will retard the child's language development";
   - check, delay
    
4. Lose velocity; move more slowly
   - decelerate, slow, slow down, slow up

See also: backward, cretinous, delayed, dim-witted [informal], dull-witted [archaic], feebleminded, half-witted, idiotic, imbecilic [archaic], moronic [informal], simple, simple-minded, slow-witted, stupid, unintelligent

Type of: alter, be, change, decelerate, decrease, diminish, fall, lessen, modify, people, slow down

Antonym: precocious

Encyclopedia: Retarded