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retreat

1. The act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable. In a retreat he otruns 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. (Science: astronomy) 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. The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy for the purpose of avoiding an engagement or escaping after defeat.

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.

A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight.

4. A special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises. 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.

Synonym: retirement, departure, withdrawment, seclusion, solitude, privacy, asylum, shelter, refuge.

Origin: F. Retraite, fr. Retraire to withdraw, L. Retrahere; pref. Re- re- _ trahere to draw. See Trace, and cf. Retract, Retrace.