1. retreat - Noun
2. retreat - Verb
The act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable.
The place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum.
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.
The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy for the purpose of avoiding an engagement or escaping after defeat.
A signal given in the army or navy, by the beat of a drum or the sounding of trumpet or bugle, at sunset (when the roll is called), or for retiring from action.
A special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises.
A period of several days of withdrawal from society to a religious house for exclusive occupation in the duties of devotion; as, to appoint or observe a retreat.
To make a retreat; to retire from any position or place; to withdraw; as, the defeated army retreated from the field.
Source: Webster's dictionaryNowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul. Marcus Aurelius
In politics, it seems, retreat is honorable if dictated by military considerations and shameful if even suggested for ethical reasons. Mary McCarthy
The Fourth Amendment and the personal rights it secures have a long history. At the very core stands the right of a man to retreat into his own home and there be free from unreasonable governmental intrusion. Potter Stewart
A good retreat is better than a poor fight. Irish Proverb
Better retreat in honor than advance in disgrace. Serbian Proverb
A good retreat is better than a bad stand. Irish Proverb