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Retardation vs Handicap - What's the difference?

retardation | handicap |

As nouns the difference between retardation and handicap

is that retardation is the act of retarding or delaying; hindrance while handicap is something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.

As a verb handicap is

to encumber with a handicap in any contest.

retardation

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of retarding or delaying; hindrance.
  • The extent to which anything is retarded; the result of any retarding or delay; mental, social, or physical slowness.
  • That which retards; an obstacle; an obstruction.
  • (physics) Deceleration; reduction in the magnitude of velocity.
  • (music) A suspension which resolves upwards.
  • References

    * *

    handicap

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.
  • :
  • *
  • *:Captain Edward Carlisle; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard.
  • An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race (or other contest of skill) to the competitor possessing disadvantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success.
  • :
  • :
  • (lb) The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people.
  • A race, for horses or men, or any contest of agility, strength, or skill, in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.
  • An old card game.
  • :(Samuel Pepys)
  • Derived terms

    * Benghazi Handicap

    Verb

    (handicapp)
  • To encumber with a handicap in any contest.
  • (by extension) To place at disadvantage.
  • The candidate was heavily handicapped .
  • To estimate betting odds.
  • Grandpa Andy would buy the racing form the day ahead of time so he could handicap the race before he even arrived at the track.