(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat; "the disorderly retreat of French troops"
(military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
(military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity; "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"
move away, as for privacy; "The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer"
information known only to a special group; "the secret of Cajun cooking"
something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on); "the combination to the safe was a secret"; "he tried to keep his drinking a secret"
the next to highest level of official classification for documents
not expressed; "secret (or private) thoughts"
indulging only covertly; "a secret alcoholic"
communicated covertly; "their secret signal was a wink"; "secret messages"
not open or public; kept private or not revealed; "a secret formula"; "secret ingredients"; "secret talks"