retardée

Retardée is a French word that translates to "delayed" or "late" in English. It is the feminine past participle of the verb retarder, meaning "to delay" or "to slow down." The masculine form is retardé. This word can be used in various contexts, from describing a physical object that is behind schedule to a person who is late.

In everyday conversation, retardée might be used to explain why a train or bus is not on time, or why an appointment has been postponed. For example, "La réunion est retardée" means "The meeting is delayed." It can also describe a person's punctuality, such as "Elle est toujours retardée" (She is always late).

Beyond its literal meaning, retardée can sometimes carry a more figurative connotation, though this is less common and often depends heavily on context. It is important to note that in some informal and outdated contexts, a derivative form of this word was used as a derogatory term, but this usage is considered offensive and inappropriate in modern French. The primary and widely accepted meaning of retardée pertains to lateness or delay.