See Also: retreat(2)(dictionary)
retreat(medicine)
Retreat(money)
retreat(1)(dictionary)
retreat(3)(dictionary)
The Reef Retreat(tourism)
Bindarri Retreat(tourism)
retreat 2, noun(dictionary)
retreat 1, verb(dictionary)
Retreat - Fencing(gambling)

retreat(1) (iou)



retreat noun. ME.
[Old French retret (masc.), retrete (fem.), vars. of retrait(e) use as noun of pa. pple of Old & mod. French retraire from Latin retrahere RETRACT verb1.]
A backhanded blow. rare. Only in ME.
Military. The signal to withdraw from battle etc. (chiefly in blow the retreat, sound the retreat, blow a retreat, sound a retreat). Now also, a bugle call followed by drumming at sunset; a flag-lowering ceremony including this. LME.
b. The recall of a pursuing force. Only in L16.
The action or an act of retiring or withdrawing in the face of opposition, difficulty, or danger, esp. on the part of an army, combatant, etc., after defeat or to avoid an engagement. Now also, (a) decline in the value of shares etc. LME.
beat a retreat: see BEAT verb1 17.
M. R. D. Foot To harass the..German retreat by..ambushing. J. Archer The dollar was on the retreat. Time The intruders were in retreat. S. Rushdie There can be no retreat from the truth.
b. The action of receding or sloping back, recession. L18.
F. J. Monkhouse The retreat of the continental ice-sheet.
A place of seclusion, privacy, or contemplation; a retired place or residence, spec. a second or further home. Also, a place of refuge; a hiding place, a lair, a den. LME.
Henry Miller A cosy retreat in which everything is offered you gratis. R. L. Fox A peaceful retreat of grottoes and shaded walks.
b. An establishment or institution for the care of the mentally ill, the elderly, etc. L18.
The action of retiring into privacy or security; withdrawal from public life, office, etc.; retirement, seclusion. L15.
J. Updike Physical frailty compelled retreat from social excitements.
b. (A period of) complete seclusion for religious observance and contemplation. M18.
Architecture. Recessed work; a recess or recessed part in a wall etc. L17.