retort

Retort is defined as to reply to something, often in a witty or sarcastic way that turns the comment back to the previous speaker.

(verb)

An example of retort is to talk back to someone making fun of another.

The definition of a retort is a quick or witty reply.

(noun)

An example of a retort is a what a person would say if they were mocking someone back who just mocked her.

See retort in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

Origin: < L retortus, pp. of retorquere, to twist back < re-, back + torquere, to twist: see tort

intransitive verb

to reply, esp. in a sharp, quick, or witty way, or in kind

noun

a quick, sharp, or witty reply, esp. one that turns the words of the previous speaker back upon that speaker
the act or practice of making such reply

noun

a container, generally of glass and with a long tube, in which substances are distilled, as in a laboratory
a vessel in which ore is heated to extract a metal, coal is heated to produce gas, etc.

Origin: Fr retorte < ML retorta < L, fem. of retortus: see retort

See retort in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb re·tort·ed, re·tort·ing, re·torts

verb, transitive

a. To reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner. See Synonyms at answer.
b. To present a counterargument to.
To return in kind; pay back.

verb, intransitive