retort

Definitions

1. 1.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. Shak.
2. 2.To return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility; as, to retort the charge of vanity. And with retorted scorn his back he turned. Milton.
3. 3.To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply. Pope.
4. 4.The return of, or reply to, an argument, charge, censure, incivility, taunt, or witticism; a quick and witty or severe response. This is called the retort courteous. Shak.
5. 5.Etym: [F. retorte (cf. Sp. retorta), fr. L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere. So named from its bent shape. See Retort, v. t.] (Chem. & the Arts) A vessel in which substances are subjected to distillation or decomposition by heat. It is made of different forms and materials for different uses, as a bulb of glass with a curved beak to enter a receiver for general chemical operations, or a cylinder or semicylinder of cast iron for the manufacture of gas in gas works. Tubulated retort (Chem.), a retort having a tubulure for the introduction or removal of the substances which are to be acted upon. -- Retort, Repartee. A retort is a short and pointed reply, turning back on an assailant the arguments, censure, or derision he had thrown out. A repartee is usually a good-natured return to some witty or sportive remark.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "retort" mean?
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Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is retort.

• What is 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. Shak called?
• What is to return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility; as, to retort the charge of vanity. And with retorted scorn his back he turned. Milton called?
• What is to return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply. Pope called?
• What is the return of, or reply to, an argument, charge, censure, incivility, taunt, or witticism; a quick and witty or severe response. This is called the retort courteous. Shak called?