Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for RE-TREAT'
RE-TREAT', n. [Fr. retraite, from retraire; re and traire, to draw; L. retractus, retraho; re and traho; It. ritratta.]
- The act of retiring; a withdrawing of one's self from any place. But beauty's triumph is well tim'd retreat. – Pope.
- Retirement; state of privacy or seclusion from noise, bustle or company. Here in the calm still mirror of retreat. – Pope.
- Place of retirement or privacy. He built his on a house of pleasure … and spared no cost to make it a delicious retreat. – L'Estrange.
- Place of safety or security. That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat / From sudden April show'rs, a shelter from the heat. – Dryden.
- In military affairs, 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. – Encyc.
- The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy; or the order and disposition of ships declining an engagement.
- The beat of the drum at the firing of the evening gun, to warn soldiers to forbear firing and the sentinels to challenge. – Encyc.
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