marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed; "a furtive manner"; "a sneak attack"; "stealthy footsteps"; "a surreptitious glance at his watch"
outward features; "he enjoyed the solemn externals of religion"
happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface; "the external auditory canal"; "external pressures"
purely outward or superficial; "external composure"; "an external concern for reputation"- A.R.Gurney,Jr.
from or between other countries; "external commerce"; "international trade"; "developing nations need outside help"
coming from the outside; "extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph"; "relying upon an extraneous income"; "disdaining outside pressure groups"
an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles at right angles to the equator; "all points on the same meridian have the same longitude"
(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"
like or containing small sticky lumps; "the dumplings were chunky pieces of uncooked dough"
short and thick; as e.g. having short legs and heavy musculature; "some people seem born to be square and chunky"; "a dumpy little dumpling of a woman"; "dachshunds are long lowset dogs with drooping ears"; "a little church with a squat tower"; "a squatty red smokestack"; "a stumpy ungainly figure"