Shy or modest; not wanting attention or social interaction, or the act of stopping work and leaving a job permanently.
From 'retire' (to withdraw) from Old French 'retirer' (re- back + tirer to pull). First meant physically withdrawing, then extended to shy behavior.
The concept of 'retirement' as a life stage is actually very modern—before the 1900s, most people worked until they died, so a formal retirement age is one of the 20th century's biggest social inventions!
'Retiring' as personality descriptor has gendered history: modest, quiet women praised as 'retiring'; same trait in men called 'reserved' or 'thoughtful.' Applied selectively with gendered judgment.
Use 'reserved,' 'private,' or 'quiet' to describe personality neutrally. For career retirement, use plainly.
["reserved","private","quiet","introverted"]
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