retreat

re|treat1 [ rı`trit ] verb intransitive *

1. ) to avoid a dangerous, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation, especially by moving away from it:

The elephants retreated to the safety of the forest.

retreat into: Clara, embarrassed, retreated into silence.

a ) if an army retreats, it moves away from a position because of danger or defeat

2. ) to change your ideas, opinion, or decision because of criticism or opposition from other people:

The Secretary appeared to retreat from his position when challenged by the press.

3. ) to move back and cover less of a place: RECEDE:

Wading birds collect small mollusks from the mud flats when the tide retreats.

4. ) to move a CHESSPIECE back to a previous position during a game of CHESS

retreat

re|treat 2 [ rı`trit ] noun *

1. ) count or uncount an attempt to avoid a dangerous, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation, especially by moving away from it:

the Prince's temporary retreat from the public gaze

beat a (hasty) retreat (=leave very quickly): At the end of the dance Maggie thanked him and beat a hasty retreat back to her friends.

a ) an army's movement away from a position because of danger or defeat:

Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1813

sound the retreat (=give an official signal to an army to move away): General Hawkes sounded the retreat.

2. ) count or uncount a change in a person's or organization's ideas, opinion, or decision after they have been criticized or opposed:

retreat from: This represents a retreat from the Chancellor's usual policies.

3. ) count a peaceful and private place where you can go in order to rest:

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it is an ideal rural retreat.

a ) count or uncount the period of time you spend resting in a peaceful and private place:

Built into her schedule will be weekend retreats.