Courage? Makes an error about one retreating (6)
I believe the answer is:
spirit
'courage?' is the definition.
(courage is a kind of spirit)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for spirit that I've seen before include "Mettle" , "Ghost or animation" , "Incorporeal supernatural being" , "Jinn" , "Soul - ethos" .)