retort

verb re·tort \ ri-ˈtȯrt \

Tip: Synonym Guide

Definition of retort

retorted; retorting; retorts

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 (an argument) by a counter argument

intransitive verb

1 : to answer back usually sharply

2 : to return an argument or charge

3 : retaliate

Origin and Etymology of retort

Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally, to twist back, hurl back, from re- + torquēre to twist — more at ¹torture

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First Known Use: circa 1505

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

retort

noun

Definition 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

1610

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Synonym Discussion of retort

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return. answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

- had answers to all their questions

response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

- a response to the call for recruits

reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

- a point-by-point reply to the accusation

rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

- a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

- she made a cutting retort to her critics

retort

noun re·tort \ ri-ˈtȯrt , ˈrē-ˌtȯrt \

Definition of retort

: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat

Illustration of retort

Origin and Etymology of retort

Middle French retorte, from Medieval Latin retorta, from Latin, feminine of retortus; from its shape

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First Known Use: 1527

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

retort

verb re·tort \ ri-ˈtȯrt , ˈrē-ˌtȯrt \

Definition of retort

retorted; retorting; retorts

transitive verb

: to treat (something, such as oil shale) by heating in a retort

First Known Use of retort

1850

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

RETORT Defined for Kids

retort

verb re·tort \ ri-ˈtȯrt \

Definition of retort for Students

retorted; retorting

1 : to reply usually angrily or sharply

2 : to reply with an argument against

When Mom objected to ice cream as unhealthy, I retorted that it contained milk.

retort

noun

Definition of retort for Students

: a quick, clever, or angry reply

Word Root of retort

The Latin word torquēre, meaning “to twist,” and its form tortus give us the root tort. Words from the Latin torquēre have something to do with twisting. A retort, or angry reply to another's words, twists those words back at the person. To contort is to twist the body in unusual ways. To distort is to twist something, such as the truth, so much that it appears to be something else.