browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
retreat |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. The rapid currents drive Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. --Milton. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: retreat n 1: (military) withdrawal to a more favorable position 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: a area where you can be alone [syn: {hideaway}] 6: withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation; "a religous retreat" [syn: {retirement}] v 1: pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew"; "The limo pulled away from the curb" [syn: {withdraw}, {pull away}, {draw back}, {recede}, {pull back}, {retire}, {move back}] 2: move away as for privacy; "The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer" 3: move back "The glacier retrogrades" [syn: {retrograde}] 4: make a retreat; "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him"; "He backed out of his earlier promise" [syn: {back out}, {back away}, {crawfish}, {crawfish out}, {withdraw}] From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: Retreat, TX (town, FIPS 61616) Location: 32.05130 N, 96.47709 W Population (1990): 334 (131 housing units) Area: 12.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
more about retreat