Retreat  —v. 1 (esp. Of military forces) go back, retire; relinquish a position. 2 recede. —n. 1 a act of retreating. B mil. Signal for this. 2 withdrawal into privacy or security. 3 place of shelter or seclusion. 4 period of seclusion for prayer and meditation. 5 mil. Bugle-call at sunset. [latin: related to *retract]