I. ri-ˈtrēt noun
Etymology: Middle English retret, from Anglo-French retrait, from past participle of retraire to withdraw, from Latin retrahere, from re- + trahere to draw
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable
(2) : the process of receding from a position or state attained
the retreat of a glacier
the slow retreat of an epidemic
b.
(1) : the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position
(2) : a signal for retreating
c.
(1) : a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a military flag-lowering ceremony
(2) : a military flag-lowering ceremony
2. : a place of privacy or safety : refuge
3. : a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director
a spiritual retreat
a corporate retreat
II. verb
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
1. : to make a retreat : withdraw
2. : to slope backward
transitive verb
: to draw or lead back : remove ; specifically : to move (a piece) back in chess
Synonyms: see recede
• re·treat·er noun