Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A closed laboratory vessel with an outlet tube, used for distillation, sublimation, or decomposition by heat.
- intransitive verb To reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner. synonym: answer.
- intransitive verb To present a counterargument to (an argument or accusation).
- intransitive verb Archaic To return in kind; pay back.
- intransitive verb To make a reply, especially a quick, caustic, or witty one.
- intransitive verb To present a counterargument.
- intransitive verb Archaic To return like for like; retaliate.
- noun A quick incisive reply, especially one that turns the first speaker's words to his or her own disadvantage.
- noun The act or an instance of retorting.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[French retorte, from Medieval Latin retorta, from feminine of Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, to bend back; see retort.]
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Latin retorquēre, retort-, to bend back, retort : re-, re- + torquēre, to bend, twist; see terkw- in Indo-European roots.]
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word re·tort.
Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.