retreat

(noun) (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat. Example: "The disorderly retreat of french troops."

(noun) a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet.

(noun) (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position.

(noun) (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset.

(noun) an area where you can be alone. Synonyms: hideaway.

(noun) withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation. Synonyms: retirement. Example: "The religious retreat is a form of vacation activity."

(noun) the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant).

(verb) pull back or move away or backward. Synonyms: withdraw, pull away, draw back, recede, pull back, retire, move back. Examples: "The enemy withdrew." "The limo pulled away from the curb."

(verb) move away, as for privacy. Example: "The pope retreats to castelgondolfo every summer."

(verb) move back. Synonyms: retrograde. Example: "The glacier retrogrades."

(verb) make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity. Synonyms: pull back, back out, back away, crawfish, crawfish out, pull in one's horns, withdraw. Examples: "We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him." "He backed out of his earlier promise." "The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns."