retire
UK[rɪˈtaɪə(r)]US[rɪˈtaɪər]
v
to leave your job and stop working, usually because you have reached a certain age.
v
to go away to a quiet or less central place.
v
(in sports) to stop playing a sport professionally, usually because of age or injury.
v
(formal) to go to bed.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
tire
re
back, again
tire
draw, pull
Etymology
the word "retire" entered english from the old french 'retirer', itself composed of the latin prefix 're-' (back) and the verb 'tirer' (to draw). its original, literal sense in the 16th century was "to withdraw" or "to draw back," as in retreating from battle or drawing back troops. this physical sense of withdrawal evolved metaphorically to mean withdrawing from one's occupation or active life, leading to the modern primary meaning of leaving the workforce. the logic of the morphemes—drawing back—clearly underlies all its uses, from retreating to a private place to withdrawing from professional duties.
Analysis
Structure: re (back, again) + tire (draw, pull)
re- is a Latin prefix meaning "back" or "again." tire is from the Old French verb 'tirer', meaning "to draw" or "to pull," of uncertain origin but possibly from Vulgar Latin or Germanic.
Examples
he plans to retire from his teaching position next year.
after dinner, she liked to retire to the library with a book.
the famous tennis player announced she would retire after the championship.