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RETORT
retort
(noun) a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
rejoinder, retort, return, riposte, replication, comeback, counter
(noun) a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one); “it brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher”
retort, come back, repay, return, riposte, rejoin
(verb) answer back
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Noun
retort (plural retorts)
A sharp or witty reply, or one which turns an argument against its originator; a comeback.
Verb
retort (third-person singular simple present retorts, present participle retorting, simple past and past participle retorted)
To say something sharp or witty in answer to a remark or accusation.
To make a remark which reverses an argument upon its originator; to return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility.
To bend or curve back.
To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect.
Synonyms
• (sharp reply): comeback, rejoinder, back answer
Etymology 2
Noun
retort (plural retorts)
(chemistry) A flask with a rounded base and a long neck that is bent down and tapered, used to heat a liquid for distillation.
A 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.
A pressure cooker
Verb
retort (third-person singular simple present retorts, present participle retorting, simple past and past participle retorted)
(transitive) To heat in a retort.
Anagrams
• Rotter, rotter
Source: Wiktionary
Re*tort", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retorting.] Etym: [L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere; pref. re- re- + torquere to turn twist. See Torsion, and cf. Retort, n., 2.]
1. To bend or curve back; as, a retorted line. With retorted head, pruned themselves as they floated. Southey.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Re*tort", v. i.
Definition: To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply. Pope.
Re*tort", n. Etym: [See Retort, v. t.]
1. 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.
2. 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)
Definition: 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.
Syn.
– Repartee; answer.
– 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
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