What is the meaning of retreat?

noun

• Military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat. (
  • usage: "the disorderly retreat of French troops"
• A place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet.
• Military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position. (
• Military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset. (
• An area where you can be alone.
  • synonyms: hideaway
• Withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation.
  • usage: "the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity"
  • synonyms: retirement
• The act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant. )

verb

• Pull back or move away or backward.
  • usage: "The enemy withdrew"; "The limo pulled away from the curb"
  • synonyms: withdraw, pull away, draw back, recede, pull back, retire, move back
• Move away, as for privacy.
  • usage: "The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer"
• Move back.
  • usage: "The glacier retrogrades"
  • synonyms: retrograde
• Make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity.
  • usage: "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him"; "He backed out of his earlier promise"; "The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns"
  • synonyms: pull back, back out, back away, crawfish, crawfish out, pull in one's horns, withdraw