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Retort

//ɹɪˈtɔɹt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A sharp or witty reply, or one which turns an argument against its originator; a comeback.

    "He countered her insult with a clever retort."

  2. 2
    A flask with a rounded base and a long neck that is bent down and tapered, used to heat a liquid for distillation.

    "A large curved retort was boiling furiously in the bluish flame of a Bunsen burner, and the distilled drops were condensing into a two-litre measure."

  3. 3
    a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat wordnet
  4. 4
    An airtight vessel in which material is subjected to high temperatures in the chemical industry or as part of an industrial manufacturing process, especially during the smelting and forging of metal.
  5. 5
    a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one) wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    A pressure cooker.

    "The retort is above boiling water. Beneath is a furnace. To the right a man is removing the chips from which the camphor has been extracted."

  2. 7
    A crematory furnace.
Verb
  1. 1
    To say something sharp or witty in answer to a remark or accusation.

    "“It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense. The case resembles that of Columbus' egg, and is every bit as simple.[…]”"

  2. 2
    To heat in a retort. transitive
  3. 3
    answer back wordnet
  4. 4
    To make a remark which reverses an argument upon its originator; to return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility.

    "to retort the charge of vanity"

  5. 5
    To bend or curve back.

    "a retorted line"

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect.

    "As when his virtues, shining upon others, / Heat them and they retort that heat again / To the first giver."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English retorte, from Latin retortus, from retorquēre (“to be forced to twist back”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English retorte, from Latin retortus, from retorquēre (“to be forced to twist back”).

Etymology 3

From French retorte.

Etymology 4

From French retorte.

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