Regressive metamorphism

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Regressive \Re*gress"ive\ (r?*gr?s"?v), a. [Cf. F.
   r['e]gressif.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Passing back; returning.
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   2. Characterized by retrogression; retrogressive.
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   {Regressive metamorphism}.
      (a) (Biol.) See {Retrogression}.
      (b) (Physiol.) See {Katabolism}.
          [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Retrogression \Re`tro*gres"sion\, n. [Cf. F. r['e]trogression.
   See {Retrograde}, and cf. {Digression}.]
   1. The act of retrograding, or going backward;
      retrogradation.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Biol.) Backward development; a passing from a higher to a
      lower state of organization or structure, as when an
      animal, approaching maturity, becomes less highly
      organized than would be expected from its earlier stages
      or known relationship. Called also {retrograde
      development}, and {regressive metamorphism}.
      [1913 Webster]