RETREAT Meaning and
Definition
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Retreat can be defined as a noun or a verb with various meanings, all revolving around the idea of withdrawal, moving away or stepping back from a particular situation, place, or activity.
As a noun, retreat refers to a secluded or private place where one can seek solace, tranquility, or seclusion. It often entails being in a natural or peaceful environment, such as a countryside retreat or a meditation retreat. In a religious or spiritual context, retreat can be a period of time set aside for contemplation, reflection, or prayer, usually in a retreat center.
As a verb, retreat indicates the act of moving away or withdrawing from a specific location or engagement. It can imply physically retreating, like moving backward or pulling back, as in a military retreat. In a non-physical sense, retreat denotes the act of stepping back or reconsidering a decision, opinion, or stance, often due to unfavorable circumstances or changing perspectives.
Furthermore, retreat can also signify the act of taking a break or vacation intentionally, to relax, recharge, or to temporarily escape the demands of daily life. This can involve taking a retreat in a different location or engaging in activities that facilitate relaxation and rejuvenation, such as a spa retreat or a yoga retreat.
Overall, retreat encompasses the idea of withdrawing, moving back, or creating a space for reflection, contemplation, relaxation, or escape.
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• To withdraw for safety or seclusion; to retire from any position or place; in mil., to retire before an enemy.
• Retirement; seclusion; place of safety or privacy; the retiring of an army before an enemy, or from an advanced position.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for RETREAT *
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Other Common Misspellings for RETREAT
Etymology of RETREAT
The word "retreat" originated from the Latin word "retroactum", which is the past participle of "retroagere". "Retroagere" is a compound word made up of "retro-" meaning "back" or "backward", and "agere" meaning "to drive" or "to move". Therefore, "retreat" originally referred to a movement or action of going back or moving away. The term then evolved in Old French to "retret", and later entered Middle English as "retrete" before finally becoming "retreat" in its modern form.
Idioms with the word RETREAT
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beat a retreat
The idiom "beat a retreat" means to withdraw or leave a place, typically quickly and discreetly, especially to avoid trouble or confrontation. It originated from military language, referring to the beating of a drum to signal soldiers to retreat or withdraw from a battle or dangerous situation. In a broader context, it can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's hasty departure from any situation that they find uncomfortable or undesirable.
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beat your retreat, at beat a retreat
The idiom "beat your retreat" or "beat a retreat" means to withdraw quickly or to escape from a situation or place that is difficult, dangerous, or unfavorable. It originates from military terminology, where "beating a retreat" refers to the act of sounding a drumbeat or a bugle call to signal soldiers to reverse direction and retreat from the battlefield. In a broader sense, this idiom can apply to any situation where someone needs to leave swiftly or retreat from an unfavorable circumstance.
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retreat (from sth) (to sm place)
The idiom "retreat (from sth) (to sm place)" is typically used to describe someone's action of withdrawing or moving away from a difficult or challenging situation. It involves seeking refuge or finding solace in a specific place, usually for the purpose of relaxation, reflection, or avoiding further conflict. It implies the need to take a break or step back from a particular situation to regain strength, gather thoughts, or find peace.
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come out of (or retreat into) your shell
The idiom "come out of (or retreat into) your shell" refers to someone who is being withdrawn, introverted, or socially reserved, and subsequently either becoming more sociable and outgoing (coming out of their shell) or returning to their introverted and reserved ways (retreating into their shell). It is often used when describing a person's behavior in social situations, indicating their level of comfort or willingness to engage with others.
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beat a (hasty) retreat
The idiom "beat a (hasty) retreat" means to quickly and hastily withdraw from a situation or place, often due to fear, embarrassment, or the desire to avoid confrontation. It implies a quick and speedy departure in order to avoid further trouble or difficulties.
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crawl/go/retreat/retire into your shell
The idiom "crawl/go/retreat/retire into your shell" refers to the act of withdrawing from social interactions or retreating into one's own private thoughts and personal space. It is often used to describe someone becoming introverted, shy, or isolated from others. It draws an analogy to the protective shell of a turtle, which it can retract into when feeling threatened or needing to seek solitude.
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go, retreat, withdraw, etc. into your shell
To go, retreat, withdraw, etc. into your shell means to become reserved, introverted, or isolated in social situations, often as a response to feeling overwhelmed, threatened, or uncomfortable. It can also refer to someone becoming secretive or protective of themselves emotionally.
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to go, retreat, etc. into your shell
To go, retreat, etc. into your shell means to withdraw socially or emotionally, becoming introverted or isolated from others. It is often used to describe someone who becomes shy or quiet in a social situation and chooses to not engage with others.
Similar spelling words for RETREAT
Conjugate verb Retreat
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have retreated
you
would have retreated
he/she/it
would have retreated
we
would have retreated
they
would have retreated
I
would have retreat
you
would have retreat
he/she/it
would have retreat
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would have retreat
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would have retreat
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been retreating
you
would have been retreating
he/she/it
would have been retreating
we
would have been retreating
they
would have been retreating
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would retreat
you
would retreat
he/she/it
would retreat
we
would retreat
they
would retreat
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be retreating
you
would be retreating
he/she/it
would be retreating
we
would be retreating
they
would be retreating
FUTURE
I
will retreat
you
will retreat
he/she/it
will retreat
we
will retreat
they
will retreat
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be retreating
you
will be retreating
he/she/it
will be retreating
we
will be retreating
they
will be retreating
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have retreated
you
will have retreated
he/she/it
will have retreated
we
will have retreated
they
will have retreated
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been retreating
you
will have been retreating
he/she/it
will have been retreating
we
will have been retreating
they
will have been retreating
IMPERATIVE
you
retreat
we
let´s retreat
to retreat
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was retreating
you
were retreating
he/she/it
was retreating
we
were retreating
they
were retreating
PAST PARTICIPLE
retreated
PAST PERFECT
I
had retreated
you
had retreated
he/she/it
had retreated
we
had retreated
they
had retreated
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been retreating
you
had been retreating
he/she/it
had been retreating
we
had been retreating
they
had been retreating
PRESENT
I
retreat
you
retreat
he/she/it
retreats
we
retreat
they
retreat
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am retreating
you
are retreating
he/she/it
is retreating
we
are retreating
they
are retreating
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
retreating
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have retreated
you
have retreated
he/she/it
has retreated
we
have retreated
they
have retreated
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been retreating
you
have been retreating
he/she/it
has been retreating
we
have been retreating
they
have been retreating
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
retreat
SIMPLE PAST
I
retreated
you
retreated
he/she/it
retreated
we
retreated
they
retreated
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