to withdraw; to take away; -- sometimes used reflexively.-to withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note.-to cause to retire; specifically, to designate as no longer qualified for active service; to place on the retired list; as, to retire a military or naval officer.-to go back or return; to draw back or away; to keep aloof; to withdraw or retreat, as from observation; to go into privacy; as, to retire to his home; to retire from the world, or from notice.-to retreat from action or danger; to withdraw for safety or pleasure; as, to retire from battle.-to withdraw from a public station, or from business; as, having made a large fortune, he retired.-to recede; to fall or bend back; as, the shore of the sea retires in bays and gulfs.-to go to bed; as, he usually retires early.-the act of retiring, or the state of being retired; also, a place to which one retires.-a call sounded on a bugle, announcing to skirmishers that they are to retire, or fall back.