Getting a retraction from the soldier in time (5)
I believe the answer is:
eight
'in time' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eight that I've seen before include "One over it and you were drunk, it was said" , "Chaps having row" , "Hit, e.g. (anag.)" , "Two fours" , "Pints in gallon" .)