Etymology : Middle French retirer, from re- + tirer to draw
Pronunciation : ri-'tIr
Function : verb
Date : 1533
1. characterized by retirement; bashful, shy, timid. retiring\re*tir"ing\, a.
2. reserved; shy; not forward or obtrusive; as, retiring modesty; retiring manners.
3. 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.retiring adj.
4. not blatant or overly aggressive in manner or appearance; "a retiring disposition" [syn: unassertive].
5. moving toward a position farther from the front; "the receding glaciers of the last ice age"; "retiring fogs revealed the rocky coastline" [syn: receding].
6. not arrogant or presuming; "unassuming to a fault, skeptical about the value of his work"; "a shy retiring girl" [syn: unassuming].
7. 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) ].
8. Reserved; shy; not forward or obtrusive; as, retiring modesty; retiring manners.
9. Of or pertaining to retirement; causing retirement; suited to, or belonging to, retirement. not arrogant or presuming; "unassuming to a fault, skeptical about the value of his work"; "a shy retiring girl".
10. To withdraw; to take away; sometimes used reflexively.
11. To withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. To retreat from action or danger; to withdraw for safety or pleasure; as, to retire from battle.
15. To withdraw from a public station, or from business; as, having made a large fortune, he retired.
16. To recede; to fall or bend back; as, the shore of the sea retires in bays and gulfs.
17. To go to bed; as, he usually retires early.
18. The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; also, a place to which one retires.
19. A call sounded on a bugle, announcing to skirmishers that they are to retire, or fall back. cause to retire; "The pitcher retired three batters"; "the runner was put out at third base" lose interest; "he retired from life when his wife died" dispose of; as of old clothes; "She finally retired that old coat" go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position; "He retired at age 68" withdraw from active participation; "He retired from chess" make retire; "The director was retired after the scandal" withdraw from circulation or from the market, as of bills, shares, and bonds.
20. 1. Someone who is retiring is shy and avoids meeting other people. I'm still that shy, retiring little girl who was afraid to ask for sweets in the shop. see also:
retire.