retreat

Meanings

Noun

• The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
• The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
• A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
• A peaceful, quiet place in which to urinate and defecate: an outhouse; a lavatory.
• A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude.
• A period of meditation, prayer or study.
• Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack.
• A signal for a military withdrawal.
• A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.
• A military ceremony to lower the flag.
• The move of a piece from a threatened position.

Verb

• To withdraw from a position, go back.
• To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures.
• To slope back.

Origin

• From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. retract.
• re- + treat