retreat
UK[rɪˈtriːt]US[rɪˈtriːt]
v
to move away from a place or an enemy because you are in danger or because you have been defeated
v
to go away to a quiet or safe place in order to avoid a difficult situation
n
a movement away from a place or an enemy because of danger or defeat
n
a quiet or private place that you go to in order to rest or be alone
n
a period of time when someone stops their usual activities and goes to a quiet place for prayer, thought, or study
Morpheme Breakdown
re
treat
re
again, back
treat
to handle, to draw
Etymology
the word "retreat" entered english in the 14th century from old french "retret", a noun derived from the verb "retraire". this old french verb itself came from latin "retrahere", meaning "to draw back". the latin term is a compound of the prefix "re-" (meaning "back") and the verb "trahere" (meaning "to pull or draw"). the core semantic logic has remained consistent: the act of pulling or drawing oneself back. this literal sense of physical withdrawal, especially from battle, evolved to encompass metaphorical withdrawals, such as withdrawing to a place of seclusion or quiet for safety, rest, or contemplation.
Analysis
Structure: re (again, back) + treat (to handle, to draw)
- re: a latin prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- treat: from latin tractare, meaning "to handle, manage, or draw".
Examples
the army was forced to retreat under heavy enemy fire.
she retreats to her cabin in the mountains every summer to write.
the company's executives went on a weekend retreat to discuss the new strategy.