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Retreat vs Vacation - What's the difference?

retreat | vacation |

As nouns the difference between retreat and vacation

is that retreat is the act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant while vacation is freedom from some business or activity.

As verbs the difference between retreat and vacation

is that retreat is to withdraw military forces while vacation is to spend or take a vacation.

retreat

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
  • * Shakespeare
  • In a retreat he outruns any lackey.
  • The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
  • A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
  • * L'Estrange
  • He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat .
  • * Dryden
  • That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat / From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat.
  • A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude.
  • A period of meditation, prayer or study.
  • Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack.
  • A signal for a military withdrawal.
  • A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.
  • A military ceremony to lower the flag.
  • (chess) The move of a piece from a threatened position.
  • See also

    * religious retreat

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To withdraw military forces.
  • Anagrams

    * *

    vacation

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Freedom from some business or activity.
  • (obsolete) Free time given over to a specific purpose; occupation, activity.
  • *, II.28:
  • The first exploited his, sundrie waies, and excelleth in military exploits, and utilitie of his publike vacations .
  • A period during which official activity or business is formally suspended; an official holiday from university, law courts etc.
  • (North America) A holiday; a stretch of leisure time away from work or duty and devoted to rest or pleasure.
  • The act of vacating something; moving out.
  • The Conservative Party’s vacation of the centre ground gave an opportunity to its opponents.
  • (US, legal) The act of making legally void.
  • Synonyms

    * (UK) holiday (1,4), annulment (2), revocation (2)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To spend or take a vacation.
  • This year, we’re vacationing in Mexico.

    Synonyms

    * (UK) go on holiday * *

    Anagrams

    * ----