retort
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re·tort 1
(rĭ-tôrt′)v. re·tort·ed, re·tort·ing, re·torts
v.tr.
1.
a. To reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner. See Synonyms at answer.
b. To present a counterargument to (an argument or accusation).
2. Archaic To return in kind; pay back.
v.intr.
1. To make a reply, especially a quick, caustic, or witty one.
2. To present a counterargument.
3. Archaic To return like for like; retaliate.
n.
1. A quick incisive reply, especially one that turns the first speaker's words to his or her own disadvantage.
2. The act or an instance of retorting.
[Latin retorquēre, retort-, to bend back, retort : re-, re- + torquēre, to bend, twist; see terkw- in Indo-European roots.]
re·tort′er n.
re·tort 2
(rĭ-tôrt′, rē′tôrt′)n.
A closed laboratory vessel with an outlet tube, used for distillation, sublimation, or decomposition by heat.
[German Retort, from Medieval Latin retorta, from feminine of Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, to bend back; see retort1.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
retort
(rɪˈtɔːt)vb
1. (when tr, takes a clause as object) to utter (something) quickly, sharply, wittily, or angrily, in response
2. to use (an argument) against its originator; turn the tables by saying (something)
n
3. a sharp, angry, or witty reply
4. an argument used against its originator
[C16: from Latin retorquēre to twist back, from re- + torquēre to twist, wrench]
reˈtorter n
retort
(rɪˈtɔːt)n
1. (Chemistry) a glass vessel with a round bulb and long tapering neck that is bent down, used esp in a laboratory for distillation
2. (Chemistry) a vessel in which large quantities of material may be heated, esp one used for heating ores in the production of metals or heating coal to produce gas
vb
(Chemistry) (tr) to heat in a retort
[C17: from French retorte, from Medieval Latin retorta, from Latin retorquēre to twist back; see retort1]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
re•tort1
(rɪˈtɔrt)v.t.
1. to reply to, usu. in a sharp or retaliatory way.
2. to return (an accusation, epithet, etc.) upon the person uttering it.
3. to answer (an argument or the like) by another to the contrary.
v.i. 4. to reply, esp. sharply.
n. 5. a severe, incisive, or witty reply, esp. one that counters a first speaker's statement, argument, etc.
6. the act of retorting.
[1590–1600; < Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre to bend back =re- re- + torquēre to twist, bend]
re•tort′er, n.
syn: See answer.
re•tort2
(rɪˈtɔrt)n.
1.
a. a vessel, usu. a glass bulb with a long neck bent downward, used for distilling or decomposing substances by heat.
b. a refractory chamber in which a substance, as ore, is heated in smelting or manufacturing.
2. a sterilizer for food cans.
v.t. 3. to sterilize (food) after it is sealed in a container, by steam or other heating methods.
4. to subject (shale, ore, etc.) to heat and possibly reduced pressure, as to produce fuel oil or a metal.
[1550–60; < Middle French retorte < Medieval Latin retorta, n. use of feminine of Latin retortus; see retort1]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
re·tort
(rĭ-tôrt′, rē′tôrt′) A glass laboratory vessel in the shape of a bulb with a long, downward-pointing outlet tube. It is used for distillation or decomposition by heat.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Retort
(See also EXCLAMATIONS.)
Dick Tracy A mildly sarcastic retort to one who makes an obvious observation as if from penetrating insight. This expression derives from the popular comic strip Dick Tracy which features a detective of that name. Dick Tracy is analogous to such rhetorical comments as “Is the Pope Catholic?” and “No kidding, you don’t say.”
the Dutch have taken Holland An obvious statement, this expression is used sarcastically to put down someone who tells a piece of stale news as though it were new and exciting. If my aunt had been a man she’d have been my uncleis a similar British retort to someone who has laboriously explained the obvious.
Queen Anne is dead A sarcastic remark made to the bearer of stale news. A similar, current American phrase is So what else is new? Anne was Queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1702-14. The expression dates from the 18th century.
touché Literally French for ‘touched,’ touché is a fencing term indicating a hit or score. In verbal fencing or argumentation the parry touché acknowledges accuracy and truth in an opponent’s remark or retort.
Picturesque Expressions: A Thematic Dictionary, 1st Edition. © 1980 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
retort
Past participle: retorted
Gerund: retorting
| Imperative |
|---|
| retort |
| retort |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. | retort - a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one); "it brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher" |
| 2. | retort - a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat alembic - an obsolete kind of container used for distillation; two retorts connected by a tube still - an apparatus used for the distillation of liquids; consists of a vessel in which a substance is vaporized by heat and a condenser where the vapor is condensed vessel - an object used as a container (especially for liquids) | |
| Verb | 1. | retort - answer back |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
retort
verb
noun
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
retort
verb2. To return like for like, especially to return an unfriendly or hostile action with a similar one:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
جَواب غاضِب سَريع وَذَكييَرُدُّ جوابا غاضِبا سريعا وذَكِيّاً
odseknoutodseknutí
gensvar
visszavágvisszavágás
hreyta út úr sér; svara um hælhvasst svar
atkirtimas
asa atbildeasi atbildētatcirst
odseknutie
sert cevaptersleyerek cevap vermek
retort
[rɪˈtɔːt]Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
retort
(rəˈtoːt) verb to make a quick and clever or angry reply. `You're too old', she said. `You're not so young yourself,' he retorted.
noun such a reply.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.