retreat

Etymology 1

From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. Doublet of retract.

noun

1. The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
2. The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
3. A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
   ... he built his son a house of pleasure, on purpose to keep him out of harm's way; and spared neither art nor cost to make it a delicious retreat. 1692, Roger L'Estrange, “Fable 100: An Old Man and a Lion”, in Fables of Aesop, page 115
4. (rare and obsolete, euphemistic) A peaceful, quiet place in which to urinate and defecate: an outhouse; a lavatory.
5. A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude.
   We both need a week retreat after those two stressful years working in the city.
6. A period of meditation, prayer or study.
7. Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack.
   The general opted for a swift retreat because he saw his troops were vastly outnumbered.
8. A signal for a military withdrawal.
9. A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.
10. A military ceremony to lower the flag.
11. (chess) The move of a piece from a threatened position.

verb

1. To withdraw from a position, go back.
   1. To withdraw military forces
      The general refused to order his soldiers to retreat, despite being vastly outnumbered.
2. (of a glacier) To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures.
3. To slope back.
   His face was a fair weakness, his chin retreated, and his hair lay in crisp, almost flaxen curls on his low forehead; his eyes were rather large, pale blue, and blankly staring. 1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 111
   a retreating forehead

Etymology 2

re- + treat

verb

1. Alternative spelling of re-treat