retrogradation

Definitions

1. Motion in a retrograde manner.
   countable, uncountable
2. Decline, degradation.
   countable, uncountable
3. A reaction that takes place in gelatinized starch when the amylose and amylopectin chains realign themselves, largely responsible for bread becoming stale.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“The major reason⟳ that bread stales is not moisture loss, but rather a process⟳ called retrogradation, in which the starch molecules in the bread crystallize.”

CEFR level