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.

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See retort in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

  1. to turn (an insult, epithet, deed, etc.) back upon the person from whom it came
  2. to answer (an argument, etc.) in kind
  3. to say in reply or response

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

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

noun

  1. a container, generally of glass and with a long tube, in which substances are distilled, as in a laboratory
  2. 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
  1. a. To reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner. See Synonyms at answer.
    b. To present a counterargument to.
  2. To return in kind; pay back.
verb, intransitive
  1. To make a reply, especially a quick, caustic, or witty one.
  2. To present a counterargument.
  3. To return like for like; retaliate.
noun
  1. A quick incisive reply, especially one that turns the first speaker's words to his or her own disadvantage.
  2. The act or an instance of retorting.

Origin:

Origin: Latin retorquēre, retort-, to bend back, retort

Origin: : re-, re-

Origin: + torquēre, to bend, twist; see terkw- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • re·tortˈer noun

noun
A closed laboratory vessel with an outlet tube, used for distillation, sublimation, or decomposition by heat.

Origin:

Origin: French retorte

Origin: , from Medieval Latin retorta

Origin: , from feminine of Latin retortus

Origin: , past participle of retorquēre, to bend back; see retort1

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