[syn: retreat, pull back, back out, back away, crawfish, crawfish out, pull in one's horns, withdraw]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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In a retreat he o?truns any lackey. --Shak.
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2. The place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or
safety; a refuge; an asylum.
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He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no
cost to make a delicious retreat. --L'Estrange.
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That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat
From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat.
--Dryden.
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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.
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Note: A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which
circumstance it differs from a flight.
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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.
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Syn: Retirement; departure; withdrawment; seclusion;
solitude; privacy; asylum; shelter; refuge.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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The rapid currents drive
Towards the retreating sea their furious tide.
--Milton.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
retreat
n 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 alone [syn: hideaway, retreat]
6: withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation; "the
religious retreat is a form of vacation activity" [syn:
retirement, retreat]
7: the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to
escape something hazardous or unpleasant) [ant: advance,
advancement, forward motion, onward motion,
procession, progress, progression]
v 1: pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew";
"The limo pulled away from the curb" [syn: withdraw,
retreat, pull away, draw back, recede, pull back,
retire, move back] [ant: advance, go on, march
on, move on, pass on, progress]
2: move away, as for privacy; "The Pope retreats to
Castelgondolfo every summer"
3: move back; "The glacier retrogrades" [syn: retrograde,
retreat]
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" [syn: retreat, pull back, back
out, back away, crawfish, crawfish out, pull in one's
horns, withdraw]