He . . . retired himself, his wife, and children
into a forest. --Sir P.
Sidney.
As when the sun is present all the year, And never
doth retire his golden ray. --Sir J.
Davies.
To Una back he cast him to retire. --Spenser.
The mind contracts herself, and shrinketh in, And to
herself she gladly doth retire. --Sir J.
Davies.
2. To retreat from action or danger; to withdraw for safety
or pleasure; as, to retire from battle.
Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle,
and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and
die. --2 Sam. xi.
15.
3. To withdraw from a public station, or from business; as,
having made a large fortune, he retired.
And from Britannia's public posts retire. --Addison.
4. To recede; to fall or bend back; as, the shore of the sea
retires in bays and gulfs.
5. To go to bed; as, he usually retires early.
Syn: To withdraw; leave; depart; secede; recede; retreat;
retrocede.
The battle and the retire of the English succors.
--Bacon.
[Eve] discover'd soon the place of her retire.
--Milton.
2. (Mil.) A call sounded on a bugle, announcing to
skirmishers that they are to retire, or fall back.