retarding force
- noun
- /rɪˈtɑrdɪŋ fɔrs/
- Specialized
:
fuerza de resistencia
- The retarding force acting on the parachute helps bring the skydiver safely to the ground.
Examples
-
The retarding force you feel on your hand is the force of air friction.
Academic text (1992) -
As the car sped down the highway, the retarding force of air resistance began to slow it down.
-
When the swimmer surfaces, the retarding force of water slows their movement significantly.
Synonyms
80
4.2
Something that slows progress or an activity that is boring
19
4.2
A force that slows an object's movement, like air or water
Something that slows a movement or a process
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: 'retard' means to slow and 'force' is a power causing change, so 'retarding force' literally denotes a force that slows motion. Although it is a technical physics term, the meaning follows standard English morphology and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
The term retarding force describes a force that is retarding, literally 'making slow' when something moves through air or water. So it means the push that acts against movement and 'slows down' an object.