1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Retreat

RETREAT (O. Fr. retrete, mod. retraite, from Lat. retrahere, to draw back), a withdrawal, especially of a body of troops after a defeat or in face of a superior enemy. In military usage “retreat” is also the term for a signal, given by bugle and drum at or about sunset. It is the last general signal before “tattoo.” In religious usage, a “retreat” is a period and place set apart for prayer, self-examination and other spiritual exercises. Such “retreats” conducted by a director have long been the practice in the Roman Church. They were introduced into the English Church by Pusey. The word is also used of an institution or home where insane persons or habitual inebriates may be treated. For the law relating to “licensed retreats” for inebriates, see Inebriety, Law of.