Chapter 1337

Ret"i*form (?) , a. [L. rete a net + -form . cf. F. r\'82tiforme .] Composed of crossing lines and interstices; reticular; netlike; as, the retiform coat of the eye .

Retina <Xpage=1230>

Ret"i*na (?) , n. [NL., from L. rete a net. Cf. Reticule .] (Anat.) The delicate membrane by which the back part of the globe of the eye is lined, and in which the fibers of the optic nerve terminate. See Eye .

&hand; The fibers of the optic nerve and the retinal blood vessels spread out upon the front surface of the retina, while the sensory layer (called Jacob's membrane ), containing the rods and cones, is on the back side, next the choroid coat.

Retinaculum <Xpage=1230>

Ret`i*nac"u*lum (?) , n. ; pl. Retinacula (#) . [L., a holdfast, a band. See Retain .] 1. (Anat.) (a) A connecting band; a fr\'91num; as, the retinacula of the ileoc\'91cal and ileocolic valves . (b) One of the annular ligaments which hold the tendons close to the bones at the larger joints, as at the wrist and ankle.

2. (Zo\'94l) One of the retractor muscles of the proboscis of certain worms.

3. (Bot.) A small gland or process to which bodies are attached; as, the glandular retinacula to which the pollinia of orchids are attached, or the hooks which support the seeds in many acanthaceous plants .

Retinal <Xpage=1230>

Ret"i*nal (?) , a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the retina.

Retinal purple (Physiol. Chem.) , the visual purple.

Retinalite <Xpage=1230>

Re*tin"a*lite (?) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ resin + -lite .] (Min.) A translucent variety of serpentine, of a honey yellow or greenish yellow color, having a waxy resinlike luster.

Retinasphalt, Retinasphaltum <Xpage=1230>

Ret`in*as"phalt (?) , Ret`in*as*phal"tum (?) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ resin + <?/<?/<?/<?/<?/ asphalt.] (Min.) Retinite.

Retinerved <Xpage=1230>

Ret"i*nerved` (?) , a. [L. rete a net + E. nerve .] (Bot.) Having reticulated veins.

Retineum <Xpage=1230>

Ret`i*ne"um (?) , n. ; pl. Retinea (#) . [NL. See Retina .] (Zo\'94l.) That part of the eye of an invertebrate which corresponds in function with the retina of a vertebrate.

Retinic <Xpage=1230>

Re*tin"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ resin.] (Min. Chem.) Of or pertaining to resin; derived from resin; specifically, designating an acid found in certain fossil resins and hydrocarbons.

Retinite <Xpage=1230>

Ret"i*nite (?) , n. [Gr.<?/<?/<?/ resin: cf. F. r\'82tinite .] (Min.) An inflammable mineral resin, usually of a yellowish brown color, found in roundish masses, sometimes with coal.

Retinitis <Xpage=1230>

Ret`i*ni"tis (?) , n. [NL., fr. NL. & E. retina + -tis .] (Med.) Inflammation of the retina.

Retinoid <Xpage=1230>

Ret"i*noid (?) , a. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/ resin + -oid .] Resinlike, or resinform; resembling a resin without being such.

Retnol <Xpage=1230>

Ret"*nol (?) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/ resin + L. ole um oil.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon oil obtained by the distillation of resin, -- used in printer's ink.

Retinophora <Xpage=1230>

Ret`i*noph"o*ra (?) , n. ; pl. Retiniphor\'91 (#) . [NL., fr. NL. & E. retina + Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ to bear.] (Zo\'94l.) One of group of two to four united cells which occupy the axial part of the ocelli, or ommatidia, of the eyes of invertebrates, and contain the terminal nerve fibrill\'91. See Illust . under Ommatidium .

Retinophoral <Xpage=1230>

Ret`i*noph"o*ral (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to retinophor\'91.

Retinoscopy <Xpage=1230>

Ret`i*nos"co*py (?) , n. [ Retina + -scopy .] (Physiol.) The study of the retina of the eye by means of the ophthalmoscope.

Retinue <Xpage=1230>

Ret"i*nue (?) , n. [OE. retinue , OF. retinue , fr. retenir to retain, engage, hire. See Retain .] The body of retainers who follow a prince or other distinguished person; a train of attendants; a suite.

Others of your insolent retinue . Shak.

What followers, what retinue canst thou gain? Milton.

To have at one's retinue , to keep or employ as a retainer; to retain. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Retinula <Xpage=1230>

Re*tin"u*la (?) , n. ; pl. Retinul\'91 (#) . [NL., dim. of NL. & E. retina .] (Zo\'94l.) One of the group of pigmented cells which surround the retinophor\'91 of invertebrates. See Illust . under Ommatidium .

Retinulate <Xpage=1230>

Re*tin"u*late (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Having, or characterized by, retinul<?/.

Retiped <Xpage=1230>

Ret`i*ped (?) , n. [L. rete a net + pes , pedis , a foot: cf. F. r\'82tinop\'8ade .] (Zo\'94l.) A bird having small polygonal scales covering the tarsi.

Retiracy <Xpage=1230>

Re*tir"a*cy (?) , n. Retirement; -- mostly used in a jocose or burlesque way. [U.S.]

Bartlett.

What one of our great men used to call dignified retiracy . C. A. Bristed.

Retirade <Xpage=1230>

Ret`i*rade" (?) , n. [F.; cf. Sp. retirada retreat. See Retire .] (Fort.) A kind of retrenchment, as in the body of a bastion, which may be disputed inch by inch after the defenses are dismantled. It usually consists of two faces which make a re\'89ntering angle.

Retire <Xpage=1230>

Re*tire" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Retired (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retiring .] [F. retirer ; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade .] 1. To withdraw; to take away; -- sometimes used reflexively.

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.

<page="1231"> Page 1231

2. To withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note.

3. To cause to retire; specifically, to designate as no longer qualified for active service; to place on the retired list; as, to retire a military or naval officer .

Retire <Xpage=1231>

Re*tire" (?) , v. i. 1. To go back or return; to draw back or away; to keep aloof; to withdraw or retreat, as from observation; to go into privacy; as, to retire to his home; to retire from the world, or from notice.

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.

Retire <Xpage=1231>

Re*tire" , n. 1. The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; also, a place to which one retires. [Obs.]

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.

Retired <Xpage=1231>

Re*tired" (?) , a. 1. Private; secluded; quiet; as, a retired life; a person of retired habits.

A retired part of the peninsula. Hawthorne.

2. Withdrawn from active duty or business; as, a retired officer; a retired physician.

Retired flank (Fort.) , a flank bent inward toward the rear of the work. -- Retired list (Mil. & Naval) , a list of officers, who, by reason of advanced age or other disability, are relieved from active service, but still receive a specified amount of pay from the government.

-- Re*tired"ly , adv. -- Re*tired"ness , n.

Retirement <Xpage=1231>

Re*tire"ment (?) , n. [Cf. F. retirement .] 1. The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; withdrawal; seclusion; as, the retirement of an officer .

O, blest Retirement , friend of life's decline. Goldsmith.

Retirement , rural quiet, friendship, books. Thomson.

2. A place of seclusion or privacy; a place to which one withdraws or retreats; a private abode. [Archaic]

This coast full of princely retirements for the sumptousness of their buildings and nobleness of the plantations. Evelyn.

Caprea had been the retirement of Augustus. Addison.

Syn. -- Solitude; withdrawment; departure; retreat; seclusion; privacy. See Solitude .

Retirer <Xpage=1231>

Re*tir"er (?) , n. One who retires.

Retiring <Xpage=1231>

Re*tir"ing , a. 1. Reserved; shy; not forward or obtrusive; as, retiring modesty; retiring manners.

2. Of or pertaining to retirement; causing retirement; suited to, or belonging to, retirement.

Retiring board (Mil.) , a board of officers who consider and report upon the alleged incapacity of an officer for active service. -- Retiring pension , a pension granted to a public officer on his retirement from office or service.

Retistene <Xpage=1231>

Ret"i*stene (?) , n. (Chem.) A white crystalline hydrocarbon produced indirectly from retene.

Retitel\'91 <Xpage=1231>

Ret`i*te"l\'91 (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. rete a net + tela a web.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of spiders which spin irregular webs; -- called also Retitelari\'91 .

Retold <Xpage=1231>

Re*told" (?) , imp. & p. p. of Retell .

Retorsion <Xpage=1231>

Re*tor"sion (?) , n. Same as Retortion .

Retort <Xpage=1231>

Re*tort" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Retorted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retorting .] [L. retortus , p. p. of retorquere ; pref. re- re- + torquere to turn twist. See Torsion , and cf. Retort , n. , 2.] 1. To bend or curve back; as, a retorted line .

With retorted head, pruned themselves as they floated. Southey.

2. To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect.

As when his virtues, shining upon others, Heat them and they retort that heat again To the first giver. Shak.

3. To return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility; as, to retort the charge of vanity .

And with retorted scorn his back he turned. Milton.

Retort <Xpage=1231>

Re*tort" , v. i. To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply.

Pope.

Retort <Xpage=1231>

Re*tort" , n. [See Retort , v. t. ] 1. The return of, or reply to, an argument, charge, censure, incivility, taunt, or witticism; a quick and witty or severe response.

This is called the retort courteous. Shak.

2. [F. retorte (cf. Sp. retorta ), fr. L. retortus , p. p. of retorquere . So named from its bent shape. See Retort , v. t. ] (Chem. & the Arts) A vessel in which substances are subjected to distillation or decomposition by heat. It is made of different forms and materials for different uses, as a bulb of glass with a curved beak to enter a receiver for general chemical operations, or a cylinder or semicylinder of cast iron for the manufacture of gas in gas works.

Tubulated retort (Chem.) , a retort having a tubulure for the introduction or removal of the substances which are to be acted upon.

Syn. -- Repartee; answer. -- Retort , Repartee . A retort is a short and pointed reply, turning back on an assailant the arguments, censure, or derision he had thrown out. A repartee is usually a good-natured return to some witty or sportive remark.

Retorter <Xpage=1231>

Re*tort"er (?) , n. One who retorts.

Retortion <Xpage=1231>

Re*tor"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. r\'82torsion . See Retort , v. t. ] 1. Act of retorting or throwing back; reflection or turning back. [Written also retorsion .]

It was, however, necessary to possess some single term expressive of this intellectual retortion . Sir W. Hamilton.

2. (Law) Retaliation.

Wharton.

Retortive <Xpage=1231>

Re*tort"ive (?) , a. Containing retort.

Retoss <Xpage=1231>

Re*toss" (?) , v. t. To toss back or again.

Retouch <Xpage=1231>

Re*touch" (?) , v. t. [Pref. re- + touch : cf. F. retoucher .] 1. To touch again, or rework, in order to improve; to revise; as, to retouch a picture or an essay .

2. (Photog.) To correct or change, as a negative, by handwork.

Retouch <Xpage=1231>

Re*touch" , n. (Fine Arts) A partial reworking,as of a painting, a sculptor's clay model, or the like.

Retoucher <Xpage=1231>

Re*touch"er (?) , n. One who retouches.

Retrace <Xpage=1231>

Re*trace" (?) , v. t. [Pref. re- + trace : cf. F. retracer . Cf. Retract .] 1. To trace back, as a line.

Then if the line of Turnus you retrace , He springs from Inachus of Argive race. Driden.

2. To go back, in or over (a previous course); to go over again in a reverse direction; as, to retrace one's steps; to retrace one's proceedings.

3. To trace over again, or renew the outline of, as a drawing; to draw again.

Retract <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Retracted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retracting .] [F. r\'82tracter , L. retractare , retractatum , to handle again, reconsider, retract, fr. retrahere , retractum , to draw back. See Retreat .] 1. To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.

2. Ti withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion .

I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it. Bp. Stillingfleet.

3. To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke. [Obs.]

Woodward.

Syn. -- To recal; withdraw; rescind; revoke; unsay; disavow; recant; abjure; disown.

Retract <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract" , v. i. 1. To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation .

2. To take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration.

She will, and she will not; she grants, denies, Consents, retracts , advances, and then files. Granville.

Retract <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract" , n. (Far.) The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.

Retractabl</ <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract"a*bl<?/ (?) , a. [Cf. F. r\'82tractable .] Capable of being retracted; retractile.

Retractate <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract"ate (?) , v. t. [L. retractatus , p. p. of retractare . See Retract .] To retract; to recant. [Obs.]

Retractation <Xpage=1231>

Re`trac*ta"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. r\'82tractation , L. retractatio a revision, reconsideration. ] The act of retracting what has been said; recantation.

Retractible <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract"i*ble (?) , a. Retractable.

Retractile <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract"ile (?) , a. [Cf. F. -r\'82tractile .] (Physiol.) CApable of retraction; capable of being drawn back or up; as, the claws of a cat are retractile .

Retraction <Xpage=1231>

Re*trac"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. r\'82traction , L. retractio a drawing back, hesitation.] 1. The act of retracting, or drawing back; the state of being retracted; as, the retraction of a cat's claws .

2. The act of withdrawing something advanced, stated, claimed, or done; declaration of change of opinion; recantation.

Other men's insatiable desire of revenge hath wholly beguiled both church and state of the benefit of all my either retractions or <?/oncessions. Eikon Basilike.

3. (Physiol.) (a) The act of retracting or shortening; as, the retraction of a severed muscle; the retraction of a sinew . (b) The state or condition of a part when drawn back, or towards the center of the body.

Retractive <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract"ive (?) , a. Serving to retract; of the nature of a retraction. -- Re*tract"ive*ly , adv.

Retractive <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract"ive , n. That which retracts, or withdraws.

Retractor <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract"or (?) , n. One who, or that which, retracts. Specifically: (a) In breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a cartridge shell from the barrel . (b) (Surg.) An instrument for holding apart the edges of a wound during amputation . (c) (Surg.) A bandage to protect the soft parts from injury by the saw during amputation . (d) (Anat. & Zo\'94l.) A muscle serving to draw in any organ or part. See Illust . under Phylactol\'91mata .

Retract <Xpage=1231>

Re*tract" (?) , n. Retreat. [Obs.]

Bacon.

Retrait <Xpage=1231>

Re*trait" (?) , n. [It. ritratto , fr. ritrarre to draw back, draw, fr. L. retrahere . See Retract .] A portrait; a likeness. [Obs.]

Whose fair retrait I in my shield do bear. Spenser.

Retransform <Xpage=1231>

Re`trans*form" (?) , v. t. To transform anew or back. -- Re`trans*for*ma"tion (#) , n.

Retranslate <Xpage=1231>

Re`trans*late" (?) , v. t. To translate anew; especially, to translate back into the original language.

Retraxit <Xpage=1231>

Re*trax"it (?) , n. [L., (he) has withdrawn. See Retract .] (O. Eng. Law) The withdrawing, or open renunciation, of a suit in court by the plaintiff, by which he forever lost his right of action.

Blackstone.

Retread <Xpage=1231>