Retreat Meaning
/ɹɪˈtɹiːt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
nounThe act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant., The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
Sentence Examples
The army had to retreat.
I was uncertain whether to advance or to retreat.
The army was forced to retreat after suffering heavy losses.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The army's ____ from the battlefield was ordered after heavy losses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The army was forced to ____ after suffering heavy losses in the battle for the strategic hilltop.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. Doublet of retract, retrait, and ritratto.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In a retreat he outruns any lackey."
— c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
""[…] But come, Lady, we are too near the mouth of the cavern; let us seek its inmost recesses. […]" "Though all your actions are noble, […] is it fitting that I should accompany you alone into these perplexed retreats? Should we be found together, what would a censorious world think of my conduct?""
— 1764 December 24 (indicated as 1765), Onuphrio Muralto, translated by William Marshal [pseudonyms; Horace Walpole], The Castle of Otranto, […], London: […] Tho[mas] Lownds […], →OCLC:
"[…] he built his son a house of pleasure, on purpose to keep him out of harm's way; and spared neither art nor cost to make it a delicious retreat."
— 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “[The Fables of Æsop, &c.] Fab[le] 100. An Old Man and a Lion.”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC, page 94:
"That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat / From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat."
— 1700, [John] Dryden, “The Flower and the Leaf: Or, The Lady in the Arbour. A Vision.”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"In a large bedroom upstairs, the window of which was thickly curtained with a great woollen shawl lately discarded by the landlady, Mrs. Rolliver, were gathered on this evening nearly a dozen persons, all seeking vinous bliss; all old inhabitants of the nearer end of Marlott, and frequenters of this retreat."
— 1891, Thomas Hardy, chapter IV, in Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented […], volume I, London: James R[ipley] Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, phase the first (The Maiden), pages 40–41:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The army's ____ from the battlefield was ordered after heavy losses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The army was forced to ____ after suffering heavy losses in the battle for the strategic hilltop.