retreat

retreat
1 verb (I)
1 MOVE BACK
a) to walk back and away from someone or something because you are afraid or embarrassed: He saw her and retreated, too shy to speak to her.
(+ to/from etc): Perry lit the fuse and retreated to a safe distance.
b) if an area of water, snow or land retreats, it gradually gets smaller: The flood waters are slowly retreating.
2 OF AN ARMY to move away from the enemy after being defeated in battle: The rebels retreated, pursued by government troops.
3 CHANGE YOUR MIND to change your mind about a promise you have publicly made or about a principle you have stated, because the situation has become too difficult
(+ from): Current economic problems have forced the government to retreat from its pledge to cut taxes.
4 TO A QUIET PLACE to go away to a place that is quiet or safe
(+ from/into/to): After the noise of the city he was glad to retreat to his hotel room.
5 retreat into yourself/your thoughts etc to ignore what is happening around you and give all your attention to your private thoughts
2 noun
1 MOVEMENT BACK (singular, uncountable) a movement back and away from someone or something, because you are afraid, embarrassed etc: beat a retreat (=walk away quickly): Jim beat a hasty retreat when he saw his wife's mother at the door.
2 CHANGE OF INTENTION (singular, uncountable) an act of changing your mind about a promise you publicly made or a principle you stated, because the situation has become too difficult: a retreat from hard-line policies
3 OF AN ARMY (C, U) a movement away from the enemy after a defeat in battle: Napoleon's retreat from Moscow.
—opposite advance 1 (3) | be in full retreat (=be retreating fast and continuously) | sound the retreat (=give a loud signal for retreat)
4 PLACE (C) a place you can go to that is quiet or safe: von Mulne's retreat in the mountains
5 THOUGHT AND PRAYER (C, U) a period of time that you spend praying or studying religion in a quiet place: They go on retreat twice a year.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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  • Retreat — Retreat, englisch für Rückzug, bezeichnet eine geplante spirituelle Ruhepause oder Rückzug von der gewohnten Umgebung. Während der Begriff im Englischen auch allgemein für Phasen von Entspannung oder Stressabbau benutzt wird, hat sich im… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Retreat — 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.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • retreat — re·treat n: the act or process of withdrawing from a dangerous situation ◇ Many jurisdictions require that a person must have at least attempted a retreat, if it was possible to do so with safety, in order for a defense of self defense to prevail …   Law dictionary

  • Retreat — Données clés Titre original Retreat Réalisation Carl Tibbetts Scénario Janice Hallett Carl Tibbetts Acteurs principaux Cillian Murphy Thandie Newton Jamie Bell …   Wikipédia en Français

  • retreat — [ri trēt′] n. [ME retret < OFr retraite < pp. of retraire, to draw back < L retrahere: see RETRACT] 1. a going back or backward; withdrawal in the face of opposition or from a dangerous or unpleasant situation 2. withdrawal to a safe or… …   English World dictionary

  • Retreat — Retreat, TX U.S. town in Texas Population (2000): 339 Housing Units (2000): 127 Land area (2000): 4.962652 sq. miles (12.853209 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.018891 sq. miles (0.048928 sq. km) Total area (2000): 4.981543 sq. miles (12.902137 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Retreat, TX — U.S. town in Texas Population (2000): 339 Housing Units (2000): 127 Land area (2000): 4.962652 sq. miles (12.853209 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.018891 sq. miles (0.048928 sq. km) Total area (2000): 4.981543 sq. miles (12.902137 sq. km) FIPS code …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • retreat — [n1] departure ebb, evacuation, flight, retirement, withdrawal; concepts 30,195 Ant. advance, arrival, coming retreat [n2] place one goes for peace adytum, ark, asylum, cell, cloister, convent, cover, covert, defense, den, habitat, harbor, haunt …   New thesaurus

  • Retreat — 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. [1913 Webster] The rapid currents drive Towards the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • retreat — n *shelter, cover, refuge, asylum, sanctuary Analogous words: *harbor, haven, port: safety, security (see corresponding adjectives at SAFE): seclusion, *solitude retreat vb *recede, retrograde, back, retract …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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