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Definitions for Retort

[1] to reply to, usually in a sharp or retaliatory way; reply in kind to.
[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.
[4] a severe, incisive, or witty reply, especially one that counters a first speaker's statement, argument, etc.
[5] the act of retorting.
[6] Chemistry . a vessel, commonly a glass bulb with a long neck bent downward, used for distilling or decomposing substances by heat. a refractory chamber, generally cylindrically shaped, within which some substance, as ore or coal, is heated as part of a smelting or manufacturing process. an airtight, usually cylindrical vessel of fire clay or iron, used in the destructive distillation chiefly of coal and wood in the manufacture of illuminating gas.
[7] a sterilizer for food cans.
[8] to sterilize food after it is sealed in a container, by steam or other heating methods.
[9] Chemistry . to subject (shale, ore, etc.) to heat and possibly reduced pressure in order to produce fuel oil, metal, etc.
[10] (when tr, takes a clause as object) to utter (something) quickly, sharply, wittily, or angrily, in response
[11] to use (an argument) against its originator; turn the tables by saying (something)
[12] a sharp, angry, or witty reply
[13] an argument used against its originator
[14] a glass vessel with a round bulb and long tapering neck that is bent down, used esp in a laboratory for distillation
[15] 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
[16] (tr) to heat in a retort

Words related to Retort

rejoinder, repartee, quip, rebut, respond, reprisal, gag, jest, wisecrack, jape, lip, crack, reply, return, revenge, witticism, comeback, sally, response, cooler

Words nearby Retort

retiring, retiré, retook, retool, retorsion, retort, retortion, retouch, retox, retrace, retract

Origin of Retort

21550–60; < Middle French retorte < Medieval Latin retorta, noun use of feminine of Latin retortus; see retort1

Other words from Retort

re·tort·er , noun

Word origin for Retort

C17: from French retorte , from Medieval Latin retorta , from Latin retorquēre to twist back; see retort 1

Synonyms for Retort

quip, rejoinder, repartee, antiphon, comeback, cooler, counter, crack, gag, jape, jest, joke, lip, reply, reprisal, respond, response, retaliation, return, revenge, riposte, sally, topper, wisecrack, witticism, back answer, back talk, parting shot, snappy comeback