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Webster 1913 Edition

Retreat

Re-treat′

,
Noun.
[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 o[GREEK]truns any lackey.
Shakespeare
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.
☞ 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.

Re-treat′

,
Verb.
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
.
The rapid currents drive
Towards the
retreating
sea their furious tide.
Milton.

Webster 1828 Edition

Retreat

RETRE'AT

,
Noun.
[L. retractus, retraho; re and traho.]
1.
The act of retiring; a withdrawing of one's self from any place.
But beauty's triumph is well tim'd retreat.
2.
Retirement; state of privacy or seclusion from noise, bustle or company.
Here in the calm still mirror of retreat.
3.
Place of retirement or privacy.
He built his son a house of pleasure - and spared no cost to make it a delicious retreat.
4.
Place of safety or security.
That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat from sudden April show'rs, a shelter from the heat.
5.
In military affairs, 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. A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight.
6.
The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy; or the order and disposition of ships declining an engagement.
7.
The beat of the drum at the firing of the evening gun, to warn soldiers to forbear firing and the sentinels to challenge.

RETRE'AT

, v.i.
1.
To retire from any position or place.
2.
To withdraw to a private abode or to any secluded situation.
3.
To retire to a place of safety or security; as, to retreat into a den or into a fort.
4.
To move back to a place before occupied; to retire.
The rapid currents drive, towards the retreating sea, their furious tide.
5.
To retire from an enemy or from any advanced position.

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