WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Re*tort"
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere; pref. re- re- + torquere to turn twist. See Torsion, and cf. Retort, n., 2.]
Definition : 1. To bend or curve back; as, a retorted line. With retorted head, pruned themselves as they floated. Southey.

2. To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect. As when his virtues, shining upon others, Heat them and they retort that heat again To the first giver. Shak.

3. To return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility; as, to retort the charge of vanity. And with retorted scorn his back he turned. Milton.

t. [imp. & p. p. Retorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retorting.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Re*tort"
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : Defn: To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply. Pope.

i.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Re*tort"
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [See Retort, v. t.]
Definition : 1. The return of, or reply to, an argument, charge, censure, incivility, taunt, or witticism; a quick and witty or severe response. This is called the retort courteous. Shak.

2. Etym: [F. retorte (cf. Sp. retorta), fr. L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere. So named from its bent shape. See Retort, v. t.] (Chem. & the Arts)

Defn: A vessel in which substances are subjected to distillation or decomposition by heat. It is made of different forms and materials for different uses, as a bulb of glass with a curved beak to enter a receiver for general chemical operations, or a cylinder or semicylinder of cast iron for the manufacture of gas in gas works. Tubulated retort (Chem.), a retort having a tubulure for the introduction or removal of the substances which are to be acted upon.

Syn. -- Repartee; answer. -- Retort, Repartee. A retort is a short and pointed reply, turning back on an assailant the arguments, censure, or derision he had thrown out. A repartee is usually a good-natured return to some witty or sportive remark.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913