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Summit vs Retreat - What's the difference?

summit | retreat |

As nouns the difference between summit and retreat

is that summit is (countable) a peak; the top of a mountain while retreat is the act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.

As verbs the difference between summit and retreat

is that summit is (transitive|hiking|climbing|colloquial) to reach the summit of a mountain while retreat is to withdraw military forces.

summit

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (countable) A peak; the top of a mountain.
    • In summer, it is possible to hike to the summit of Mt. Shasta.
  • (countable) A gathering or assembly of leaders.
    • They met for an international summit on environmental issues.

    Usage notes

    Colloquially summit' is used for only the highest point of a mountain, while in mountaineering any point that is higher than surrounding points is a '''summit , such as the South Summit of (Mount Everest). These are distinguished by (topographic prominence) as ''subsummits'' (low prominence) or ''independent summits (high prominence).

    Synonyms

    * acme, apex, peak, zenith

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l)

    Verb

  • (transitive, hiking, climbing, colloquial) To reach the summit of a mountain.
  • * 2012 , Kenza Moller, "Eyes on the North," Canadian Geographic , vol. 132, no. 4 (July/Aug.) p. 10:
    • Of the range's 12 peaks, Mount Saskatchewan is the only one that has yet to be summited .

    Anagrams

    * ----

    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

    * *