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duty to retreat

[ doo-tee tuh ri-treet, dyoo-tee ]

noun

, Law.
  1. a legal principle that requires a person as a first response to back away or flee from a threatening situation rather than attempt self-defense by deadly force:

    Duty to retreat has always been a debatable doctrine.



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Word History and Origins

Origin of duty to retreat1

First recorded in 1780–90

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