# retrogradation

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. Motion in a retrograde manner.
2. Decline, degradation.
3. A reaction that takes place in gelatinized starch when the amylose and amylopectin chains realign themselves, largely responsible for bread becoming stale.

## Etymology
From retrograde + -ation.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/retrogradation