Retreat word meaning and definition

[noun] withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation; "a religious retreat"
[noun] (military) withdrawal to a more favorable position
[noun] an area where you can be alone
[noun] (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
[noun] (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
[noun] a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
[verb] make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity; "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him"; "He backed out of his earlier promise"; "The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns"
[verb] pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew"; "The limo pulled away from the curb"
[verb] move back; "The glacier retrogrades"
[verb] move away, as for privacy; "The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer"

\Re*treat"\, n. [F. retraite, fr. retraire to withdraw, L. retrahere; pref. re- re- + trahere to draw. See {Trace}, and cf. {Retract}, {Retrace}.] 1. The act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable. In a retreat he o?truns any lackey. --Shak. 2. The place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum. He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat. --L'Estrange. That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat. --Dryden. 3. (Mil. & Naval.)
(a) The retiring of an army or body of men from the face of an enemy, or from any ground occupied to a greater distance from the enemy, or from an advanced position.
(b) The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy for the purpose of avoiding an engagement or escaping after defeat.
(c) A signal given in the army or navy, by the beat of a drum or the sounding of trumpet or bugle, at sunset (when the roll is called), or for retiring from action. Note: A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight. 4. (Eccl.)
(a) A special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises.
(b) A period of several days of withdrawal from society to a religious house for exclusive occupation in the duties of devotion; as, to appoint or observe a retreat. Syn: Retirement; departure; withdrawment; seclusion; solitude; privacy; asylum; shelter; refuge.
\Re*treat"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Retreated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Retreating}.] To make a retreat; to retire from any position or place; to withdraw; as, the defeated army retreated from the field. The rapid currents drive Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. --Milton.

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