| retread | (n) a used automobile tire that has been remolded to give it new treads, Syn. recap |
| retread | (v) give new treads to (a tire), Syn. remould, remold |
| retreat | (n) (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat, Example: the disorderly retreat of French troops |
| retreat | (n) a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet |
| retreat | (n) (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position |
| retreat | (n) (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset |
| retreat | (n) the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant), Ant. advance |
| retreat | (v) move away, as for privacy, Example: The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer |
| retreat | (v) make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity, Syn. crawfish, back out, crawfish out, back away, withdraw, pull back, pull in one's horns, Example: 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 |
| retreatant | (n) a participant in a religious retreat |
| Retread | v. t. & i. To tread again. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Retreat | v. i. The rapid currents drive |
| Retreat | n. [ F. retraite, fr. retraire to withdraw, L. retrahere; pref. re- re- + trahere to draw. See Trace, and cf. Retract, Retrace. ] In a retreat he o&unr_;truns any lackey. Shak. [ 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 ☞ A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Retreatful | a. Furnishing or serving as a retreat. [ R. ] “Our retreatful flood.” Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Retreatment | n. The act of retreating; specifically, the Hegira. [ R. ] D'Urfey. [ 1913 Webster ] |