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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
First Known Use: circa 1505
retort
Definition of retort
: a quick, witty, or cutting reply; especially : one that turns back or counters the first speaker's words
1610
First Known Use of retort
1610
Synonym Discussion of retort
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
First Known Use: 1527
Definition of retort
transitive verb
: to treat (something, such as oil shale) by heating in a retort
1850
First Known Use of retort
1850
RETORT Defined for Kids
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.
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.
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See words that rhyme with retort Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retort Spanish Central: Translation of retort Nglish: Translation of retort for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retort for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about retort
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