4. (Eccl.) (a) A special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises. (b) 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.
Syn. — Retirement; departure; withdrawment; seclusion; solitude; privacy; asylum; shelter; refuge.
Retreat
(Re*treat") v. i. [imp. & p. p. Retreated; p. pr. & vb. n. Retreating.] To make a retreat; to
retire from any position or place; to withdraw; as, the defeated army retreated from the field.
The rapid currents drive
Towards the retreating sea their furious tide.
Milton. Retreatful
(Re*treat"ful) a. Furnishing or serving as a retreat. [R.] "Our retreatful flood." Chapman.
Retreatment
(Re*treat"ment) n. The act of retreating; specifically, the Hegira. [R.] D'Urfey.
Retrench
(Re*trench") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retrenched ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retrenching.] [OF. retrenchier,
F. retrancher; pref. re- re- + OF. trenchier, F. trancher, to cut. See Trench.]
1. To cut off; to pare away.
Thy exuberant parts retrench.
Denham. 2. To lessen; to abridge; to curtail; as, to retrench superfluities or expenses.
But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched.
Milton. 3. To confine; to limit; to restrict. Addison.
These figures, ought they then to receive a retrenched interpretation?
I. Taylor. 4. (Fort.) To furnish with a retrenchment; as, to retrench bastions.
Syn. — To lesen; diminish; curtail; abridge.
Retrench
(Re*trench"), v. i. To cause or suffer retrenchment; specifically, to cut down living expenses; as,
it is more reputable to retrench than to live embarrassed.
Retrenchment
(Re*trench"ment) n. [Cf. F. retrenchment.]
1. The act or process of retrenching; as, the retrenchment of words in a writing.
The retrenchment of my expenses will convince you that mean to replace your fortune as far as I can.
Walpole. 2. (Fort.) A work constructed within another, to prolong the defense of the position when the enemy
has gained possession of the outer work; or to protect the defenders till they can retreat or obtain terms
for a capitulation.
Syn. — Lessening; curtailment; diminution; reduction; abridgment.
Retrial
(Re*tri"al) n. A secdond trial, experiment, or test; a second judicial trial, as of an accused person.
Retribute
(Re*trib"ute) v. t. [L. retributus, p. p. ofretribuere to retribute; pref re- + tribuere to bestow,
assign, pay. See Tribute.] To pay back; to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite; as,
to retribute one for his kindness; to retribute just punishment to a criminal. [Obs. or R.] Locke.
Retributer
(Re*trib"u*ter) n. One who makes retribution.
