Category:Retreat

Re*treat", n. Etym: [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 oshak.

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.

Retreat Re*treat", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Retreated; p. pr. & vb. n. Retreating.]

Defn: 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.