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

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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

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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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