1.A marching back; retrocession.
2.(Mil.) An evolution by which a body of troops change front or reverse the direction of march while retaining the same men in the front rank; also, a movement by which the rear rank becomes the front one, either with or without changing the right to the left.
3.A change of measures; alteration of conduct. "Such countermarches and retractions as we do not willingly impute to wisdom."
