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v. re·trieved, re·triev·ing, re·trieves v.tr. 1. a. To get back into one's grasp, possession, or control, especially from a known place or a place of storage: retrieved his coat from the closet. b. To go to and bring or escort back (someone): retrieved his friend from the bus station. c. To search for, find, and bring back: divers retrieving artifacts from a shipwreck. d. To search for, find, and carry back (killed game or a thrown object). Used of dogs. e. To gain access to (stored information). 2. To recall to mind (a memory, for example); remember. 3. a. To rescue or save: tried to retrieve him from the degradation of life as a runaway. b. Sports To make a difficult but successful return of (a ball or shuttlecock, as in tennis or badminton). 4. To restore to a former or desirable condition: did whatever he could to retrieve his honor. 5. To rectify the unfavorable consequences of; remedy: "An attempt was made to retrieve the blunder" (Francis Parkman). v.intr. To find and bring back game or a thrown object: a dog trained to retrieve. n. 1. The act of retrieving; retrieval. 2. Sports A difficult but successful return of a ball or shuttlecock. [Middle English retreven, from Old French retrover, retruev- : re-, re- + trover, to find; see TROVER.] re·triev′a·bili·ty n. re·trieva·ble adj. |
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