Syn. -- To lesen; diminish; curtail; abridge.
Re*trench", v. i. To cause or suffer retrenchment; specifically, to cut
down living expenses; as, it is more reputable to retrench than to live
embarrassed.
Re*trench"ment (?), n. [Cf. F. retrenchment.] 1. The act or process of
retrenching; as, the retrenchment of words in a writing.
The retrenchment of my expenses will convince you that &?; mean to
replace your fortune as far as I can.
Walpole.
2. (Fort.) A work constructed within another, to prolong the defense of
the position when the enemy has gained possession of the outer work; or
to protect the defenders till they can retreat or obtain terms for a
capitulation.
Syn. -- Lessening; curtailment; diminution; reduction; abridgment.
Re*tri"al (?), n. A secdond trial, experiment, or test; a second
judicial trial, as of an accused person.
Re*trib"ute (?), v. t. [L. retributus, p. p. ofretribuere to retribute;
pref re- + tribuere to bestow, assign, pay. See Tribute.] To pay back;
to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite; as,
to retribute one for his kindness; to retribute just punishment to a
criminal. [Obs. or R.] Locke.
Re*trib"u*ter (?), n. One who makes retribution.
Ret`ri*bu"tion (?), n. [L. retributio: cf. F. rétribution.] 1. The act
of retributing; repayment.
In good offices and due retributions, we may not be pinching and
niggardly.
Bp. Hall.
2. That which is given in repayment or compensation; return suitable to
the merits or deserts of, as an action; commonly, condign punishment
for evil or wrong.
All who have their reward on earth, . . . Naught seeking but the
praise of men, here find Fit retribution, empty as their deeds.
Milton.
3. Specifically, reward and punishment, as distributed at the general
judgment.
It is a strong argument for a state of retribution hereafter, that
in this world virtuous persons are very often unfortunate, and
vicious persons prosperous.
Addison.
Syn. -- Repayment; requital; recompense; payment; retaliation.
{ Re*trib"u*tive (?), Re*trib"u*to*ry }, a. [Cf. LL. retributorius
worthy of retribution.] Of or pertaining to retribution; of the nature
of retribution; involving retribution or repayment; as, retributive
justice; retributory comforts.
Re*triev"a*ble (?), a. [From Retrieve.] That may be retrieved or
recovered; admitting of retrieval. -- Re*triev"a*ble*ness, n. --
Re*triev"a*bly, adv.
Re*triev"al (?), n. The act retrieving.
Re*trieve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retrieved (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Retrieving.] [OE. retreven, OF. retrover to find again, recover (il
retroevee finds again), F. retrouver; pref. re- re- + OF. trover to
find, F. trouver. See Trover.] 1. To find again; to recover; to regain;
to restore from loss or injury; as, to retrieve one's character; to
retrieve independence.
With late repentance now they would retrieve The bodies they
forsook, and wish to live.