Result from Foreign Dictionaries (3 entries found)

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: 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. [1913 Webster] In a retreat he o?truns any lackey. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. The place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum. [1913 Webster] He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster] That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Note: A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Syn: Retirement; departure; withdrawment; seclusion; solitude; privacy; asylum; shelter; refuge. [1913 Webster] From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: 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. [1913 Webster] The rapid currents drive Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. --Milton. [1913 Webster] From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: 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}]