retort
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1re·tort
verb \ri-ˈtȯrt\Definition of RETORT
transitive verb
1
: to pay or hurl back : return <retort an insult>
2
a : to make a reply to b : to say in reply
3
: to answer (as an argument) by a counter argument
intransitive verb
1
: to answer back usually sharply
2
: to return an argument or charge
3
See Origin of RETORT
Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally, to twist back, hurl back, from re- + torquēre to twist — more at torture
First Known Use: circa 1557
Rhymes with RETORT
abort, airport, amort, aport, assort, athwart, backcourt, bellwort, birthwort, bistort, blood sport, Bridgeport, carport, cavort, cohort, colewort, comport, consort, contort, crosscourt, deport, disport, distort, downcourt, effort, escort, exhort, export, extort, fall short, figwort, forecourt, for short, free port, frontcourt, glasswort, Gosport, Gulfport, half-court, homeport, home port, in short, jetport, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, Newport, outport, passport, presort, purport, ragwort, report, re-sort, resort, sandwort, seaport, sell short, Shreveport, spaceport, spearwort, spoilsport, Stockport, support, toothwort, transport
2retort
nounDefinition of RETORT
: a quick, witty, or cutting reply; especially : one that turns back or counters the first speaker's words
First Known Use of RETORT
1600
3re·tort
noun \ri-ˈtȯrt, ˈrē-ˌ\Definition of RETORT
: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
Illustration of RETORT
Origin of RETORT
Middle French retorte, from Medieval Latin retorta, from Latin, feminine of retortus; from its shape
First Known Use: 1605
4re·tort
transitive verb \ri-ˈtȯrt, ˈrē-ˌ\Definition of RETORT
: to treat (as oil shale) by heating in a retort
First Known Use of RETORT
1850
re·tort
noun \ri-ˈtȯ(ə)rt, ˈrē-ˌ\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of RETORT
: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
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