retarder

retarder — 名詞

1. a person, condition, or element that causes something to happen more slowly than

1.名詞C2
釋義

阻礙因素

導致進度或發展變慢的人或事物

a person, condition, or element that causes something to happen more slowly than expected, or prevents it from moving forward at a normal pace.

例句

The manager was seen as a retarder of innovation, refusing to approve new software tools.

該主管被視為創新的阻礙因素，因為他不願批准任何新的軟體工具。

retarder of + [abstract noun] — shows what is being delayed

Traffic jams act as a major retarder of economic activity in large cities.

在大城市裡，塞車是經濟活動的主要阻礙因素。

同義詞
  • obstacle

    more general and widely used; fits any context from physical to abstract

  • hindrance

    similar in formality, but emphasises an active blocking effect

  • bottleneck

    specific to a point in a process where flow is restricted

  • impediment

    slightly more formal; often suggests a lasting barrier

反義詞
  • accelerator

    something that speeds up progress or development

  • catalyst

    something that causes activity or change to happen faster

文法句型

retarder of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal or analytical writing rather than in everyday speech. When applied to a person, this word may be perceived as harsh or judgmental; in most contexts it is more natural to describe the person's actions (e.g., 'He is slowing progress') rather than using a noun label.

常見錯誤

❌She is a retarder of our team's work.
✅She is slowing down our team's work.
💡Using 'retarder' for a person sounds unnatural; describe the action instead.
❌The rain was a retarder of the festival.
✅The rain delayed the festival.
💡Words like 'obstacle' or 'setback' are more natural than 'retarder' in everyday contexts.

2. a chemical additive that is mixed into a material such as concrete, plaster, or

2.名詞C2
釋義

緩凝劑

延緩水泥或橡膠等材料硬化的化學添加物

a chemical additive that is mixed into a material such as concrete, plaster, or rubber to make it harden or set more slowly than it normally would.

例句

The crew added a retarder to the concrete to stop it from setting too fast.

工作人員在混凝土中添加了緩凝劑，以免它凝固得太快。

add a retarder to [material] — typical construction usage

Diego mixed a retarder into the plaster to give more time for shaping the ceiling.

Diego 在石膏中加入緩凝劑，以便有更多時間來塑造天花板。

同義詞
  • inhibitor

    broader term used in chemistry; can also mean a substance that stops a reaction entirely

  • stabilizer

    keeps a material in a steady state rather than just slowing its change

  • retardant

    closest synonym, often used interchangeably (e.g., 'fire retardant'), though 'retardant' is more common as an adjective

反義詞
  • accelerator

    a substance that speeds up the setting or curing process

文法句型

retarder + noun (modifier)

add a retarder to + noun

retarder for + material

用法筆記

Commonly used in construction, materials science, and manufacturing contexts. The specific material is often named in a compound noun (e.g., 'concrete retarder', 'gypsum retarder', 'rubber retarder'). Uncountable when referring to the substance in general ('Retarder is added to the mix'); countable when referring to types or brands ('This retarder works better than that one').

常見錯誤

❌We added a retarder to make the glue dry faster.
✅We added a retarder to slow the drying of the glue.
💡A retarder delays a process; it does not speed it up. That function is an accelerator.

3. a mechanical or hydraulic braking device installed along railway tracks that red

3.名詞C2
釋義

減速器

鐵軌上控制貨車車廂速度的制動裝置

a mechanical or hydraulic braking device installed along railway tracks that reduces the speed of freight cars as they roll into a classification yard or siding.

例句

The retarder on the track slowed the freight car before the siding ended.

軌道上的減速器在側線結束前降低了貨車的速度。

retarder on [track/siding] — shows location on railway infrastructure

Darius watched the yard operator activate the retarder to slow the rolling cars.

Darius 看著調車場操作員啟動減速器，以減緩滾動中的貨車。

activate the retarder — verb + noun collocation

同義詞
  • track brake

    a more general term for any braking device mounted on rails

  • decelerator

    rare in railway contexts; more common in physics and automotive engineering

文法句型

retarder on + noun (track/siding)

retarder + noun (modifier)

activate/operate the retarder

用法筆記

Almost exclusively used in railway engineering and operations. Retarders are typically found in hump yards (classification yards built on a slope) where freight cars roll downhill and must be slowed before coupling. The device may be operated manually or by computer.

常見錯誤

❌The truck driver used a retarder to slow down on the hill.
✅The rail yard uses retarders on the tracks to control freight car speed.
💡Retarders are railway track devices, not vehicle brakes.