Re·tire v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retired p. pr. & vb. n. Retiring.]
1. To withdraw; to take away; -- sometimes used reflexively.
He . . . retired himself, his wife, and children into a forest. --Sir P. Sidney.
As when the sun is present all the year,
And never doth retire his golden ray. --Sir J. Davies.
2. To withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note.
3. 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.
Re·tir·ing, a.
1. Reserved; shy; not forward or obtrusive; as, retiring modesty; retiring manners.
2. Of or pertaining to retirement; causing retirement; suited to, or belonging to, retirement.
Retiring board Mil., a board of officers who consider and report upon the alleged incapacity of an officer for active service.
Retiring pension, a pension granted to a public officer on his retirement from office or service.
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retiring
adj 1: not blatant or overly aggressive in manner or appearance; "a
retiring disposition" [syn: unassertive]
2: moving toward a position farther from the front; "the
receding glaciers of the last ice age"; "retiring fogs
revealed the rocky coastline" [syn: receding]
3: not arrogant or presuming; "unassuming to a fault, skeptical
about the value of his work"; "a shy retiring girl" [syn:
unassuming]
4: of a person who has held and relinquished a position or
office; "a retiring member of the board" [syn: past(a),
preceding(a), retiring(a)]