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n. 1. a. The act or process of moving back or away, especially from something hazardous, formidable, or unpleasant: made a retreat from hectic city life to the country. b. Withdrawal of a military force from a dangerous position or from an enemy attack. c. The process of receding from a position or of becoming smaller: glaciers in retreat from positions of advancement. d. The process of changing or undergoing change in one's thinking or in a position: a leader's retreat from political radicalism. e. A decline in value: a retreat in housing prices. 2. A place affording peace, quiet, privacy, or security. See Synonyms at shelter. 3. a. A period of seclusion, retirement, or solitude. b. A period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, or study: a religious retreat. 4. a. The signal for a military withdrawal: Sound the retreat! b. A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base. c. The military ceremony of lowering the flag. v. re·treat·ed, re·treat·ing, re·treats v.intr. 1. To move backward or away; withdraw or retire: retreated to his study. See Synonyms at recede1. 2. To make a military retreat. 3. To move back from a position of advancement or become smaller: land that emerged when the oceans retreated. 4. To change or undergo change in one's thinking or in a position: They retreated from their demands. 5. To decline in value: Stocks retreated in morning trading. v.tr. Games To move (a chess piece) back. [Middle English retret, from Old French retrait, retret, from past participle of retraire, retrere, to draw back, from Latin retrahere; see RETRACT.] re·treater n. |
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