re-

back, again; restoration or reversal

Forms

re-
red- — An early Latin form used before vowels and h.

Origin

Its ancestry before Latin is uncertain.

Note

In some old compounds the prefix adds emphasis, while in others its separate contribution has become unclear.

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noun

regression

rih-GRESH-un/rɪˈɡreʃn/

A return to an earlier, worse, or less developed state.

The bust's regression returns its modeled face to the earlier rudimentary shape.

A compact, text-free sequence shows the same clay bust in three successive states: a rudimentary head, a fully modeled face, then the original rudimentary head again.

Etymology

reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal

+gressLatinstep or walk

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Regression names the act of 'stepping back.' Its sense of a return or backward passage extended to returning to a previous condition or relapsing, connecting physical retreat with a loss of development.

In context

Sam Vaknin's Musings: Geopolitics and Economics36:47

Schizotypy is the psychological equivalent of neoteny because it's a regression to a very early childhood state

Deranged Children: Future of Humanity (Neoteny and Schizotypy)

More examples

Stress sometimes causes a regression in a child's behavior.
These repeated mistakes mark a regression in the team's performance.
The therapist watches for regressions during his recovery.

Forms

regression · regressions

regress verb — Return to an earlier, less developed state.

Similar words

relapse: Relapse usually means returning to illness or a harmful habit.
deterioration: Deterioration means worsening without necessarily returning to an earlier state.
reversion: Reversion emphasizes returning to a previous state, not necessarily worsening.