retrorocket

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Etymology tree
Proto-Italic *wre-
Latin re-
Latin retrōder.
English retro-
Old Italian rocchetto
Italian rocchettabor.
English rocket
English retrorocket

    From retro- + rocket.

    Noun

    retrorocket (plural retrorockets)

    1. A small rocket engine on a larger rocket or spacecraft, designed to slow or reverse its motion.
      • 2020, John Rocco, How We Got to the Moon, page 79:
        At nine minutes and nine seconds after launch, the second stage separates, firing small retrorockets to help it back safely away from the remainder of the spacecraft.

    Synonyms

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