retrograde

Moving backwards; A device used by composers where a series of notes (comprising a figure or theme) is brought back later in the composition, but written backwards. This device is essential in twelve-tone music.

Retrograde describes backwardness of one kind or another. If a country decided to go back to amputating the limbs of criminals, we might call that policy retrograde. A retrograde view of women might be one that sees them basically as housekeepers.

The retrograde is the prime form backward. The inversion is the original row with all intervals in the row inverted (going in the opposite direction of the original).

RETROGRADE – A variation technique created by arranging the main theme backwards. RETROGRADE INVERSION – Arranging the “inverted” variation of the theme backwards!

The term retrograde is from the Latin word retrogradus – "backward-step", the affix retro- meaning "backwards" and gradus "step".

The word "retrograde" is used to describe backward motion. Science shows us that all the planets in our solar system move in one direction on elliptical paths around the sun, meaning retrograding planets only appear to be moving in reverse as we view them from our perspective on Earth.

The adjective is derived from Middle English retrograd, retrograde (“of a planet: appearing to move in a direction opposite to the order of the zodiac signs, retrograde; unfortunate”), from Middle French retrograde and Old French retrograde (“of a celestial object: appearing to move backwards; moving backwards; reverse ...

To invert a chord or an interval is to rearrange its notes so that the original bottom note becomes an upper note; for example, An interval (such as c′–f′) and its inversion (f′–c″) are complementary: together they form an octave. A three-note chord (triad) can be inverted twice from its original, or root, position.

Retrograde is simply reversing the order of notes. So if you have A B C G the retrograde would be G C B A. Inversion is when you reverse the intervals in order. For example A B C G is up a major 2nd, up a minor 2nd, up a perfect 5th.

The term retrograde comes from the Latin word retrogradus, which literally means “backward step.” As the name suggests, retrograde is when a planet appears to go backward in its orbit, as viewed from Earth. Astronomers refer to this as “apparent retrograde motion,” because it is an optical illusion.

'Inversion' means reversing (inverting) the normal subject–verb word order in a sentence. We can use inversion to add emphasis, especially in formal English. It is common, for example, in political speeches, because it has a persuasive and impressive effect.

A reversal of position is called an inversion. If a bookstore's employees join together to purchase the store, there's an inversion of power: the employees become owners, and the former owners are their employees.