Retreat

[Fr. retraite, from retraire, to withdraw. See RETRAIT and RETRACT.] 1. The act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable. In a retreat he outruns any. Shak. 2. The place to which any one retires; a place of privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum. He built his son a house of pleasure, . . . and spared no cost to make it a delicious retreat. L’Estrange. That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat, From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat. Dryden. 3. (Mil.) 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. A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight.

4. The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy, or the order and disposition of ships declining an engagement.
5. A signal given in the army or navy, by the beat of a drum or the sounding of trumpets, at sunset, or for retiring from exercise or action.
6. (Rom. Cath. Church.) (a.) A special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises. (b.) A period of several days of withdrawal from society to a religious house for exclusive occupation in the duties of religion; as, to appoint or observe a retreat.

Syn. — Retirement; departure; withdrawal; seclusion; solitude; privacy; asylum; shelter; refuge.