Retrieve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retrieved; p. pr. & vb. n. Retrieving.]
Etymology: [OE. retreven, OF. retrover to find again, recover (il retroevee finds again), F. retrouver; pref. re- re- + OF. trover to find, F. trouver. See Trover.]
1. To find again; to recover; to regain; to restore from loss or injury; as, to retrieve one's character; to retrieve independence. With late repentance now they would retrieve The bodies they forsook, and wish to live. Dryden
2. To recall; to bring back. To retrieve them from their cold, trivial conceits. Berkeley.
3. To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair, as a loss or damadge. Accept my sorrow, and retrieve my fall. Prior. There is much to be done . . . and much to be retrieved. Burke.
Syn. -- To recover; regain; recruit; repair; restore.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Retrieve, v. i. (Sport.)
To discover and bring in game that has been killed or wounded; as, a dog naturally inclined to retrieve. Walsh.
Retrieve, n.
1. A seeking again; a discovery. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
2. The recovery of game once sprung; -- an old sporting term. [Obs.] Nares.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for retrieve; he lists it under recover.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.