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.
In a retreat he o&?;truns any
lackey.
Shak.
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.
&fist; 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" (?), 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.
The rapid currents drive
Towards the retreating sea their furious tide.
Milton.
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.
In a retreat he o&?;truns any
lackey.
Shak.
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.
&fist; 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" (?), 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.
The rapid currents drive
Towards the retreating sea their furious tide.
Milton.
