regress vb
1 to return or revert, as to a former place, condition, or mode of behaviour
2 (Statistics) to measure the extent to which (a dependent variable) is associated with one or more independent variables n
4 movement in a backward direction; retrogression
5 (Logic) a supposed explanation each stage of which requires to be similarly explained, as saying that knowledge requires a justification in terms of propositions themselves known to be true
(C14: from Latin regressus a retreat, from regredi to go back, from re- + gradi to go)
♦
regressor n