regress
Definitions
verb
- (intr) to return or revert, as to a former place, condition, or mode of behaviour
- (tr) statistics to measure the extent to which (a dependent variable) is associated with one or more independent variables
noun
- the act of regressing
- movement in a backward direction; retrogression
- logic a supposed explanation each stage of which requires to be similarly explained, as saying that knowledge requires a justification in terms of propositions themselves known to be true
Alternative Forms
reˈgressor nounWord Origin
C14: from Latin regressus a retreat, from regredī to go back, from re- + gradī to goSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
revert,
deteriorate,
return,
go back,
retreat,
lapse,
fall back,
wane,
recede,
ebb,
degenerate,
relapse,
lose ground turn the clock back
backslide,
retrogress,
retrocede,
fall away or off
Usage examples
Every time consciousness contemplates itself, it must fall into an infinite regress.
, The Broken God (1993)Rather, participants return to the spiral, readdress issues at a higher level, and sometimes regress before reaching a resolution.
British Medical Journal (2002)Liverpool go top as Owen drops Derby Liverpool - 2 Derby County - 0 SOCCER: Liverpool progress, Derby regress and Arsenal had better beware.
Irish Times (2002)"It's almost like I'm having to regress back to that to move forward.
Sun, News of the World (2001)This second `time' was in turn measured by another `time" and so on, in an infinite regress.
, Dictionary of Mind, Body and Spirit (1994)