movement in a direction that is, or seems to be, the opposite to that of most other stars, planets, etc.

The distance of any planet from the sun may be obtained from a measurement of the arc of retrogradation in a given time. 任何行星到太阳的距离都可以通过测量给定时间内的逆行弧来获得。

The middle of the retrogradation always occurs when Saturn is nearly in opposition to the Sun. 逆行的中间总是发生在土星几乎与太阳对冲时。

a reaction in which the structure of starch (= a white substance that exists in large amounts in, for example, potatoes and rice) changes when it cools after being cooked

Retrogradation is a reaction that takes place in gelatinized starch when the amylose and amylopectin chains realign themselves. 当糊化淀粉内的直链和支链发生重排时就会出现回凝反应。

Bread kept in a refrigerator will develop mould growth more slowly than bread kept at room temperature, but will turn stale quickly due to retrogradation. 和放在室温的面包相比，放在冰箱里的面包不容易发霉，但更容易因为淀粉回凝而变质。