Chapter 1338

Re*tread" (?) , v. t. & i. To tread again.

Retreat <Xpage=1231>

Re*treat" (?) , n. [F. retraite , fr. retraire to withdraw, L. retrahere ; pref. re- re- + trahere to draw. See Trace , and cf. Retract , Retrace .] 1. The act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable.

In a retreat he o<?/truns any lackey. Shak.

2. The place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum.

He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat . L'Estrange.

That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat. Dryden.

3. (Mil. & Naval.) (a) The retiring of an army or body of men from the face of an enemy, or from any ground occupied to a greater distance from the enemy, or from an advanced position. (b) The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy for the purpose of avoiding an engagement or escaping after defeat. (c) A signal given in the army or navy, by the beat of a drum or the sounding of trumpet or bugle, at sunset (when the roll is called), or for retiring from action.

&hand; A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight .

4. (Eccl.) (a) A special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises. (b) A period of several days of withdrawal from society to a religious house for exclusive occupation in the duties of devotion; as, to appoint or observe a retreat .

Syn. -- Retirement; departure; withdrawment; seclusion; solitude; privacy; asylum; shelter; refuge.

Retreat <Xpage=1231>

Re*treat" (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Retreated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retreating .] To make a retreat; to retire from any position or place; to withdraw; as, the defeated army retreated from the field .

The rapid currents drive Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. Milton.

Retreatful <Xpage=1231>

Re*treat"ful (?) , a. Furnishing or serving as a retreat. [R.] "Our retreatful flood."

Chapman.

Retreatment <Xpage=1231>

Re*treat"ment (?) , n. The act of retreating; specifically, the Hegira. [R.]

D'Urfey.

Retrench <Xpage=1231>

Re*trench" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Retrenched (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retrenching .] [OF. retrenchier , F. retrancher ; pref. re- re- + OF. trenchier , F. trancher , to cut. See Trench .] 1. To cut off; to pare away.

Thy exuberant parts retrench . Denham.

2. To lessen; to abridge; to curtail; as, to retrench superfluities or expenses .

But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched . Milton.

3. To confine; to limit; to restrict.

Addison.

These figures, ought they then to receive a retrenched interpretation? I. Taylor.

4. (Fort.) To furnish with a retrenchment; as, to retrench bastions .

Syn. -- To lesen; diminish; curtail; abridge.

Retrench <Xpage=1231>

Re*trench" , v. i. To cause or suffer retrenchment; specifically, to cut down living expenses; as, it is more reputable to retrench than to live embarrassed .

Retrenchment <Xpage=1231>

Re*trench"ment (?) , n. [Cf. F. retrenchment .] 1. The act or process of retrenching; as, the retrenchment of words in a writing .

The retrenchment of my expenses will convince you that <?/ mean to replace your fortune as far as I can. Walpole.

2. (Fort.) A work constructed within another, to prolong the defense of the position when the enemy has gained possession of the outer work; or to protect the defenders till they can retreat or obtain terms for a capitulation.

Syn. -- Lessening; curtailment; diminution; reduction; abridgment.

Retrial <Xpage=1231>

Re*tri"al (?) , n. A secdond trial, experiment, or test; a second judicial trial, as of an accused person.

Retribute <Xpage=1231>

Re*trib"ute (?) , v. t. [L. retributus , p. p. of retribuere to retribute; pref re- + tribuere to bestow, assign, pay. See Tribute .] To pay back; to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite; as, to retribute one for his kindness; to retribute just punishment to a criminal . [Obs. or R.]

Locke.

Retributer <Xpage=1231>

Re*trib"u*ter (?) , n. One who makes retribution.

Retribution <Xpage=1231>

Ret`ri*bu"tion (?) , n. [L. retributio : cf. F. r\'82tribution .] 1. The act of retributing; repayment.

In good offices and due retributions , we may not be pinching and niggardly. Bp. Hall.

2. That which is given in repayment or compensation; return suitable to the merits or deserts of, as an action; commonly, condign punishment for evil or wrong.

All who have their reward on earth, . . . Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find Fit retribution , empty as their deeds. Milton.

3. Specifically, reward and punishment, as distributed at the general judgment.

It is a strong argument for a state of retribution hereafter, that in this world virtuous persons are very often unfortunate, and vicious persons prosperous. Addison.

Syn. -- Repayment; requital; recompense; payment; retaliation.

Retributive, Retributory <Xpage=1231>

Re*trib"u*tive (?) , Re*trib"u*to*ry , a. [Cf. LL. retributorius worthy of retribution.] Of or pertaining to retribution; of the nature of retribution; involving retribution or repayment; as, retributive justice; retributory comforts.

Retrievable <Xpage=1231>

Re*triev"a*ble (?) , a. [From Retrieve .] That may be retrieved or recovered; admitting of retrieval. -- Re*triev"a*ble*ness , n. -- Re*triev"a*bly , adv.

Retrieval <Xpage=1231>

Re*triev"al (?) , n. The act retrieving.

Retrieve <Xpage=1231>

Re*trieve" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Retrieved (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retrieving .] [OE. retreven , OF. retrover to find again, recover ( il retroeve e finds again), F. retrouver ; pref. re- re- + OF. trover to find, F. trouver . See Trover .] 1. To find again; to recover; to regain; to restore from loss or injury; as, to retrieve one's character; to retrieve independence .

With late repentance now they would retrieve The bodies they forsook, and wish to live. Dryden

2. To recall; to bring back.

To retrieve them from their cold, trivial conceits. Berkeley.

<page="1232"> Page 1232

3. To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair, as a loss or damadge.

Accept my sorrow, and retrieve my fall. Prior.

There is much to be done . . . and much to be retrieved . Burke.

Syn. -- To recover; regain; recruit; repair; restore.

Retrieve <Xpage=1232>

Re*trieve" (?) , v. i. (Sport.) To discover and bring in game that has been killed or wounded; as, a dog naturally inclined to retrieve .

Walsh.

Retrieve <Xpage=1232>

Re*trieve" , n. 1. A seeking again; a discovery. [Obs.]

B. Jonson.

2. The recovery of game once sprung; -- an old sporting term. [Obs.]

Nares.

Retrievement <Xpage=1232>

Re*trieve"ment (?) , n. Retrieval.

Retriever <Xpage=1232>

Re*triev"er (?) , n. 1. One who retrieves.

2. (Zo\'94l.) A dor, or a breed of dogs, chiefly employed to retrieve, or to find and recover game birds that have been killed or wounded.

Retrim <Xpage=1232>

Re*trim" (?) , v. t. To trim again.

Retriment <Xpage=1232>

Ret"ri*ment (?) , n. [L. retrimentum .] Refuse; dregs. [R.]

Retro- <Xpage=1232>

Retro- . [L. retro , adv., backward, back. Cf. Re -.] A prefix or combining form signifying backward , back ; as, retro act, to act backward; retro spect, a looking back .

Retroact <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*act" (?) , v. i. [Pref. retro- + act .] To act backward, or in return; to act in opposition; to be retrospective.

Retroaction <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*ac"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. r\'82troaction .] 1. Action returned, or action backward.

2. Operation on something past or preceding.

Retroactive <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*act"ive (?) , a. [Cf. F. r\'82troactif .] Fitted or designed to retroact; operating by returned action; affecting what is past; retrospective.

Beddoes.

Retroactive law &or; statute (Law) , one which operates to make criminal or punishable, or in any way expressly to affect, acts done prior to the passing of the law.

Retroactively <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*act"ive*ly , adv. In a retroactive manner.

Retrocede <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*cede (?) , v. t. [Pref. retro- + cede : cf. F. r\'82troc\'82der .] To cede or grant back; as, to retrocede a territory to a former proprietor .

Retrocede <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*cede , v. i. [L. retrocedere ; retro backward, back + cedere to go. See Cede .] To go back.

Retrocedent <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*ced"ent (?) , a. [L. retrocedens , p. pr.] Disposed or likely to retrocede; -- said of diseases which go from one part of the body to another, as the gout.

Retrocession <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*ces"sion (?) , n. [Cf. F. r\'82trocession . See Retrocede .] 1. The act of retroceding.

2. The state of being retroceded, or granted back.

3. (Med.) Metastasis of an eruption or a tumor from the surface to the interior of the body.

Retrochoir <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*choir (?) , n. [Pref. retro- + choir .] (Eccl. Arch.) Any extension of a church behind the higggggggh altar, as a chapel; also, in an apsidal church, all the space beyond the line of the back or eastern face of the altar.

Retrocopulant <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*cop"u*lant (?) , a. [See Retrocopulation .] Copulating backward, or from behind.

Retrocopulation <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*cop`u*la"tion (?) , n. [Pref. retro- + copulation .] Copulation from behind.

Sir T. Browne.

Retroduction <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*duc"tion (?) , n. [L. retroducere , retroductum , to lead or bring back; retro backward + ducere to lead.] A leading or bringing back.

Retroflex, Retroflexed <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*flex (?) , Re"tro*flexed (?) , a. [Pref. retro- + L. flectere , flexum , to bend, to turn.] Reflexed; bent or turned abruptly backward.

Retroflexion <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*flex"ion (?) , n. The act of reflexing; the state of being retroflexed. Cf. Retroversion .

Retrofract, Retrofracted <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*fract (?) , Re"tro*fract`ed , a. [Pref. retro- + L. fractus , p. p. of frangere to break.] (Bot.) Refracted; as, a retrofract stem .

Retrogenerative <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*gen"er*a*tive (?) , a. [Pref. retro- + generative .] Begetting young by retrocopulation.

Retrogradation <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*gra*da"tion (?) , n. [F. r\'82trogradation or L. retrogradatio . See Retrograde .] 1. The act of retrograding, or moving backward.

2. The state of being retrograde; decline.

Retrograde <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*grade (?) , a. [L. retrogradus , from retrogradi , retrogressus , to retrograde; retro back + gradi to step: cf. F. r\'82trograde . See Grade .] 1. (Astron.) Apparently moving backward, and contrary to the succession of the signs, that is, from east to west, as a planet.

Hutton.

And if he be in the west side in that condition, then is he retrograde . Chaucer.

2. Tending or moving backward; having a backward course; contrary; as, a retrograde motion ; -- opposed to progressive . "Progressive and not retrograde ."

Bacon.

It is most retrograde to our desire. Shak.

3. Declining from a better to a worse state; as, a retrograde people; retrograde ideas, morals, etc.

Bacon.

Retrograde <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*grade , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Retrograded (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retrograding .] [L. retrogradare , retrogradi : cf. F. r\'82trograder .] 1. To go in a retrograde direction; to move, or appear to move, backward, as a planet.

2. Hence, to decline from a better to a worse condition, as in morals or intelligence.

Retrogradingly <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*gra`ding*ly (?) , adv. By retrograding; so as to retrograde.

Retrogress <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*gress (?) , n. [Cf. L. retrogressus .] Retrogression. [R.]

H. Spenser.

Retrogression <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*gres"sion (?) , n. [Cf. F. r\'82trogression . See Retrograde , and cf. Digression .] 1. The act of retrograding, or going backward; retrogradation.

2. (Biol.) Backward development; a passing from a higher to a lower state of organization or structure, as when an animal, approaching maturity, becomes less highly organized than would be expected from its earlier stages or known relationship. Called also retrograde development , and regressive metamorphism .

Retrogressive <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*gres"sive , a. [Cf. F. r\'82trogressif .] 1. Tending to retrograde; going or moving backward; declining from a better to a worse state.

2. (Biol.) Passing from a higher to a lower condition; declining from a more perfect state of organization; regressive.

Retrogressively <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*gres"sive*ly , adv. In a retrogressive manner.

Retromingency <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*min"gen*cy (?) , n. The quality or state of being retromingent.

Sir T. Browne.

Retromingent <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*min"gent (?) , a. [Pref. retro- + L. mingens , p. pr. of mingere to urinate.] Organized so as to discharge the urine backward. -- n. (Zo\'94l.) An animal that discharges its urine backward.

Retropulsive <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*pul"sive (?) , a. [Pref. retro- + L. pellere , pulsum , to impel.] Driving back; repelling.

Retrorse <Xpage=1232>

Re*trorse" (?) , a. [L. retrorsus , retroversus ; retro back + vertere , versum , to turn. Cf. Retrovert .] Bent backward or downward. -- Re*trorse"ly , adv.

Retrospect <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*spect (?) , v. i. [L. retrospicere ; retro back + specere , spectum , to look. See Spy , and cf . Expect .] To look backward; hence, to affect or concern what is past.

It may be useful to retrospect to an early period. A. Hamilton.

Retrospect <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*spect , n. A looking back on things past; view or contemplation of the past.

Cowper.

We may introduce a song without retrospect to the old comedy. Landor.

Retrospection <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*spec"tion (?) , n. The act, or the faculty, of looking back on things past.

Retrospective <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*spec"tive (?) , a. [Cf. F. r\'82trospectif .] 1. Looking backward; contemplating things past; -- opposed to prospective ; as, a retrospective view .

The sage, with retrospective eye. Pope.

2. Having reference to what is past; affecting things past; retroactive; as, a retrospective law .

Inflicting death by a retrospective enactment. Macaulay.

Retrospectively <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*spec"tive*ly , adv. By way of retrospect.

Retrovaccination <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*vac`ci*na"tion (?) , n. (Med.) The inoculation of a cow with human vaccine virus.

Retroversion <Xpage=1232>

Re`tro*ver"sion (?) , n. [Cf. F. r\'82troversion . See Retrovert .] A turning or bending backward; also, the state of being turned or bent backward; displacement backwards; as, retroversion of the uterus .

&hand; In retroversion the bending is gradual or curved; in retroflexion it is abrupt or angular.

Retrovert <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*vert (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Retroverted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retroverting .] [Pref. retro- + L. vertere , versum , to turn. Cf. Retrorse .] To turn back.

Retroverted <Xpage=1232>

Re"tro*vert*ed , a. In a state of retroversion.

Retrude <Xpage=1232>

Re*trude" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Retruded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Retruding .] [L. retrudere ; re- + trudere to thrust.] To thrust back. [R.]

Dr. H. More.

Retruse <Xpage=1232>

Re*truse" (?) , a. [L. retrusus concealed, p. p. of retrudere .] Abstruse. [Obs.]

Dr. H. More.

Retrusion <Xpage=1232>

Re*tru"sion (?) , n. The act of retruding, or the state of being retruded.

In virtue of an endless remotion or retrusion of the constituent cause. Coleridge.

Retry <Xpage=1232>

Re*try" (?) , v. t. To try (esp. judicially) a second time; as, to retry a case; to retry an accused person.

Rette <Xpage=1232>

Rette (?) , v. t. See Aret . [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Rettery <Xpage=1232>

Ret"ter*y (?) , n. A place or establishment where flax is retted. See Ret .

Ure.

Retting <Xpage=1232>

Ret"ting (?) , n. 1. The act or process of preparing flax for use by soaking, meceration, and kindred processes; -- also called rotting . See Ret .

Ure.

2. A place where flax is retted; a rettery.

Ure.

Retund <Xpage=1232>

Re*tund" (?) , v. t. [L. retundere , retusum ; pref. re- re- + tundere to beat.] To blunt; to turn, as an edge; figuratively, to cause to be obtuse or dull; as, to retund confidence .

Ray. Cudworth.

Re-turn <Xpage=1232>

Re-turn" (?) , v. t. & i. To turn again.