2004, Duncan Mackay, The Observer, 8 Aug 2004:HGH, which was originally developed to assist children with retarded growth, is believed to be especially popular with sprinters.
(psychology, now offensive) Having mentalretardation, characterised by learning difficulties (specifically having an IQ below 70); now more generally, mentally deficient. from 19th c.
(chiefly North America) Underdeveloped (of a person's intelligence, abilities etc.). from 20th c.
2000, Kate Connolly, The Guardian, 19 Apr 2000:The European Roma Rights Centre in Budapest, which is representing the children - from the north-eastern city of Ostrava - said that the education ministry and local authorities had for decades "perpetuated a system which routinely brands disproportionate numbers of Gypsies as mentally retarded".
(colloquial, derogatory) Stupid, dumb. from 20th c.
1988, Raymond E Feist, Faerie Tale:Looking at Jack, Gabbie said, "What?" "That's the Troll Bridge." She groaned at the pun. "That's retarded."
(physics) Designating a parameter of an electromagnetic field which is adjusted to account for the finite speed of radiation. from 20th c.
