retreat

noun

1. The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.

   “In a retreat he outruns any lackey.”

2. The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
3. The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.

   “The general opted for a swift retreat because he saw his troops were vastly outnumbered.”

4. A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.

   “a mountain retreat”

   “"[…] But come, Lady, we are too near the mouth of the cavern; let us seek its inmost recesses. […]" "Though all your actions are noble, […] is it fitting that I should accompany you alone into these perplexed retreats? Should we be found together, what would a censorious world think of my conduct?"”

   “[…] 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.”

   “That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat / From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat.”

   “In a large bedroom upstairs, the window of which was thickly curtained with a great woollen shawl lately discarded by the landlady, Mrs. Rolliver, were gathered on this evening nearly a dozen persons, all seeking vinous bliss; all old inhabitants of the nearer end of Marlott, and frequenters of this retreat.”

5. (euphemistic, obsolete, rare)A peaceful, quiet place in which to urinate and defecate: an outhouse; a lavatory.
6. 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 Buddhist retreat”

   “a company retreat”

   “Obviously she is trying to blend in at the über–bachelor party that is the GoJo corporate retreat in Norway.”

   “For example, Steve Jobs used to run an annual retreat for what he considered the 100 most important people at Apple, and these were not the 100 people highest on the org chart.”

7. A signal for a military withdrawal.
8. 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.”

9. A military ceremony to lower the flag.
10. The move of a piece from a threatened position.

verb

1. (intransitive)To withdraw from a position, go back.
2. (intransitive)To withdraw from a position, go back.

   “The general refused to order his soldiers to retreat, despite being vastly outnumbered.”

3. (intransitive)To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures. (of a glacier)
4. (intransitive)To slope back.

   “a retreating forehead”

   “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.”

5. (alt-of, alternative, intransitive)Alternative form of re-treat.

name

1. A locality in the Tamworth council area, north eastern New South Wales, Australia.
2. A locality in George Town council area and the City of Launceston, northern Tasmania, Australia.