retire

Everyday

1. To stop working, usually because you are older. tree →
2. (sport) To stop playing in a game or race, often because of injury. tree →
3. (formal) To go to bed or to a quiet room: «retire for the night». tree →
4. (formal) To go away from a place, like an army moving back. tree →

In the lessons

Adult life seen by a child: Grandma retired from nursing; a retirement party. In sport, a player retires injured or retires from the sport. In old stories, ladies «retire to the drawing room». Phrases: «retire from», «retire early», «retire hurt», «retired teacher».

Examples

• Grandad retired after working at the post office for many years. tree →
• The runner had to retire from the race with a sore leg. tree →
• The guests retired for the night. tree →
• She plans to retire to the seaside. tree →
• My retired neighbour grows tomatoes. tree →
• The army retired behind the hill. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun «retirement», person «retiree». Adjective «retired». «Retiring» can also mean shy. Retired people often receive a pension (money paid regularly).

In Jewish tradition

In the story of David and Uriah it means to draw back in battle and leave a man alone to die.

Interpretation. Tradition counts this as a great sin of David, for which the prophet Nathan rebuked him and David repented.

Examples

• And he wrote in the letter, saying: 'Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.' (Prophets 2SA.11.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun «retirement», person «retiree». Adjective «retired». «Retiring» can also mean shy. Retired people often receive a pension (money paid regularly).