Retreat

//ɹɪˈtɹiːt// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A locality in George Town council area and the City of Launceston, northern Tasmania, Australia.
Noun
  1. 1
    The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.

    "In a retreat he outruns any lackey."

  2. 2
    the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant) wordnet
  3. 3
    The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.; The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
  4. 4
    withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation wordnet
  5. 5
    The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.; Withdrawal by a military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack.

    "The general opted for a swift retreat because he saw his troops were vastly outnumbered."

Show 12 more definitions
  1. 6
    (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat wordnet
  2. 7
    A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.

    "a mountain retreat"

  3. 8
    an area where you can be alone wordnet
  4. 9
    A peaceful, quiet place in which to urinate and defecate: an outhouse; a lavatory. euphemistic, obsolete, rare
  5. 10
    (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset wordnet
  6. 11
    A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude, especially for meditation, prayer, or study.

    "We both need a week retreat after those two stressful years working in the city."

  7. 12
    (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position wordnet
  8. 13
    A signal for a military withdrawal.
  9. 14
    a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet wordnet
  10. 15
    A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.

    "to-morrow the Royal Standard will be hoisted at Edinburgh Castle from reveille to retreat."

  11. 16
    A military ceremony to lower the flag.
  12. 17
    The move of a piece from a threatened position.
Verb
  1. 1
    To withdraw from a position, go back. intransitive
  2. 2
    Alternative form of re-treat. alt-of, alternative, intransitive
  3. 3
    make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity wordnet
  4. 4
    To withdraw from a position, go back.; To withdraw military forces. intransitive

    "The general refused to order his soldiers to retreat, despite being vastly outnumbered."

  5. 5
    pull back or move away or backward wordnet
Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures. (of a glacier) intransitive
  2. 7
    move back wordnet
  3. 8
    To slope back. intransitive

    "a retreating forehead"

  4. 9
    move away, as for privacy wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. Doublet of retract, retrait, and ritratto.

Etymology 2

From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. Doublet of retract, retrait, and ritratto.

Etymology 3

From re- + treat.

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