retreat

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: hideawayretirementwithdrawpull awaydraw backrecedepull backretiremove backretrogradeback outback away

WordNet 3.0

Noun (7)

  1. (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat“the disorderly retreat of French troops”
  2. a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
  3. (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
  4. (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
  5. an area where you can be aloneSynonyms: hideaway
  6. withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation“the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity”Synonyms: retirement
  7. the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)

Verb (4)

  1. pull back or move away or backward“The enemy withdrew”“The limo pulled away from the curb”Synonyms: withdrawpull awaydraw backrecedepull backretiremove back
  2. move away, as for privacy“The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer”
  3. move back“The glacier retrogrades”Synonyms: retrograde
  4. 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”Synonyms: pull backback outback awaycrawfishcrawfish outpull in one's hornswithdraw
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Retreat \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. [1913 Webster]

In a retreat he o?truns any lackey.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.The place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum. [1913 Webster]

He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat.— L'Estrange.[1913 Webster]
That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Note: A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Retirement; departure; withdrawment; seclusion; solitude; privacy; asylum; shelter; refuge. [1913 Webster]

Retreat \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. [1913 Webster]

The rapid currents drive Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

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