Sekirov Dictionary

retreat

/ɹɪˈtɹiːt/

verb 4
noun 10
forms 5
phrases 1

verb4

to move back and away from a place, often because of danger or an attack
•
To withdraw military forces.
- The general refused to order his soldiers to retreat, despite being vastly outnumbered.
To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures. (of a glacier)
•
To slope back.
- His face was a fair weakness, his chin retreated, and his hair lay in crisp, almost flaxen curls on his low forehead; his eyes were rather large, pale blue, and blankly staring. — 1898

noun10

•
The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
- In a retreat he outruns any lackey. — 1604
The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
•
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.
The move of a piece from a threatened position.
•
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.
•
A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
- […] he built his son a house of pleasure, on purpose to keep him out of harm's way; and spared neither art nor cost to make it a delicious retreat. — 1692
A signal for a military withdrawal.
•
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. — 1898
A military ceremony to lower the flag.
(no longer used, rare) A peaceful, quiet place in which to urinate and defecate: an outhouse; a lavatory.

forms

retreated · retreating · retreateth · retreats · retreatest

Phrases with retreat

beat a retreat
To leave hastily in the face of opposition.

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