retired
/rɪˈtaɪərd/
adjective
Origin
Latin
retirare — to draw back
Overview
Meaning Now
- Having left one's job or ceased to work, typically upon reaching a certain age.
- Secluded, private, or withdrawn from society.
Literal older meaning
withdrawn or drawn back
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
retired
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term originated from military contexts meaning a strategic withdrawal. Over time, it evolved to describe individuals withdrawing from the labor force or social life.
Evolution
- Latin
retrahere
“to draw back”
- Middle French
retirer
“to withdraw, pull back”
- Middle English
retiren
“to retreat”
- Early Modern English
retired
“withdrawn; no longer active”
Connections
Word parts
re-
prefix
back
tir-
root
pull
-ed
suffix
participial ending
Related across languages
French
retiré
withdrawn/retired
Italian
ritirato
withdrawn/retired
Explore next
Related to retired
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.