The spelling of the word "retro gradations" may look intimidating, but it can be broken down using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. "Ret-roh" is pronounced /ˈrɛt.roʊ/, "gra-dey-shuhn" is pronounced /ˌɡræd.eɪˈʃʌn/, and the "-tions" ending is pronounced /-ʃənz/. In other words, "retro gradations" is pronounced as /ˈrɛt.roʊ ˌɡræd.eɪˈʃʌn.ʃənz/. This word refers to a backward or reverse progression, typically in style or fashion.
The term "retro gradations" does not have a clear etymology in English, as it appears to be a combination of two separate words.
The word "retro" is a prefix that is derived from the Latin word "retro", meaning "backward" or "behind". It is commonly used to refer to something that imitates or resembles styles, trends, or designs from the past.
"Gradations", on the other hand, is a noun derived from the verb "grade". It comes from the Latin word "gradus", meaning "step" or "degree". In English, "gradations" refers to a series of gradual changes or stages between different levels, degrees, or shades.