encounter vs retreat

encounter

noun
  • An extrajudicial killing or execution. 

  • A sexual encounter; sexual activity, especially unplanned or unexpected, between people not in a sexual relationship, that usually does not lead to the establishment of a relationship, and may or may not happen again. A sexual encounter could be consensual or non-consensual; in the latter case, it is a sexual assault. A consensual sexual encounter that happens only once is commonly known as a one-night stand. 

  • A hostile, often violent meeting; a confrontation, skirmish, or clash, as between combatants. 

  • A meeting, especially one that is unplanned or unexpected. 

  • A match between two opposing sides. 

verb
  • To execute someone extrajudicially. 

  • To meet (someone) or find (something), especially unexpectedly. 

  • To confront (someone or something) face to face. 

  • To engage in conflict, as with an enemy. 

retreat

noun
  • The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant. 

  • A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security. 

  • The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position. 

  • A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base. 

  • A military ceremony to lower the flag. 

  • The move of a piece from a threatened position. 

  • A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude. 

  • A period of meditation, prayer or study. 

  • A signal for a military withdrawal. 

  • Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack. 

verb
  • To slope back. 

  • To withdraw military forces 

  • To shrink back due to generally warmer temperatures. 

  • To withdraw from a position, go back. 

  • a retreating forehead 

How often have the words encounter and retreat occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )