retarderade

Retarderade is a Swedish term that denotes something slowed or delayed. It functions as an adjective or past participle and appears in several domains, including science, engineering and everyday language. The precise meaning depends on context, ranging from physical slowing to postponed time or development.

In medical and social contexts, "retarderad" historically described people with intellectual disabilities. Today the term is widely regarded as pejorative and outdated. Contemporary Swedish favors neutral formulations such as "personer med intellektuell funktionsnedsättning" or, when describing development, "försenad" or "fördröjd" depending on nuance.

In science, "retardation" (retardation) refers to a slowing of change, such as velocity decreasing over time. In physics and geoscience one speaks of retardation or negative acceleration, and in electronics it can describe delayed signals in circuits.

In engineering and transport, a retarder is a braking device that slows a vehicle without using the main service brakes; common in heavy trucks and railways. The term can be hydraulic, electric or mechanical.

Originating from French retarder and Latin retardare, the word has broad senses. In modern Swedish, its use to label people is discouraged; in technical contexts it remains standard with clear, specific meanings.