retreat
retreat /riːˈtriːt/
noun
-
(
)
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
(
retreat
)
(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
the disorderly retreat of French troops
-
The act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)
(
retreat
)
the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)
-
Withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation
(
retirement
, retreat
)
withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation
The religious retreat is a form of vacation activity
the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity
-
An area where you can be alone
(
hideaway
, retreat
)
an area where you can be alone
-
(military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
(
retreat
)
(military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
-
(military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
(
retreat
)
(military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
-
A place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
(
retreat
)
a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
verb
-
(
)
Pull back or move away or backward
(
pull away
, pull back
, retire
, move back
, draw back
, recede
, retreat
, withdraw
)
pull back or move away or backward
The enemy withdrew
The enemy withdrew
The limo pulled away from the curb
The limo pulled away from the curb
-
Make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
(
back out
, crawfish
[Informal, N. American] , crawfish out
[Informal, N. American] , pull back
, back away
, pull in one's horns
[Informal] , retreat
, withdraw
)
make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
He backed out of his earlier promise
He backed out of his earlier promise
The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns
The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns
-
Move back
(
retreat
, retrograde
)
move back
The glacier retrogrades
The glacier retrogrades
-
Move away, as for privacy
(
retreat
)
move away, as for privacy
The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer
The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer