First Known Use: circa 1557
Dictionary
1retort
verb re·tort \ri-ˈtȯrt\
Definition of RETORT
transitive verb
1
: to pay or hurl back : return <retort an insult>
2
a : to make a reply to b : to say in reply
3
: to answer (as an argument) by a counter argument
intransitive verb
1
: to answer back usually sharply
2
: to return an argument or charge
3
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Origin of RETORT
Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally, to twist back, hurl back, from re- + torquēre to twist — more at torture
Rhymes with RETORT
abort, airport, amort, aport, assort, athwart, backcourt, bellwort, birthwort, bistort, blood sport, Bridgeport, carport, cavort, cohort, colewort, comport, consort, contort, crosscourt, deport, disport, distort, downcourt, effort, escort, exhort, export, extort, fall short, figwort, forecourt, for short, free port, frontcourt, glasswort, Gosport, Gulfport, half-court, homeport, home port, in short, jetport, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, Newport, outport, passport, presort, purport, ragwort, report, re-sort, resort, sandwort, seaport, sell short, Shreveport, spaceport, spearwort, spoilsport, Stockport, support, toothwort, transport
2retort
noun
Definition of RETORT
: a quick, witty, or cutting reply; especially : one that turns back or counters the first speaker's words
First Known Use of RETORT
1600
Synonym Discussion of RETORT
answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return. answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need <had answers to all their questions>. response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus <a response to the call for recruits>. reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised <a point-by-point reply to the accusation>. rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection <a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument>. retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack <she made a cutting retort to her critics>.
3retort
noun re·tort \ri-ˈtȯrt, ˈrē-ˌ\
Definition of RETORT
: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
Origin of RETORT
Middle French retorte, from Medieval Latin retorta, from Latin, feminine of retortus; from its shape
First Known Use: 1605
4retort
verb re·tort \ri-ˈtȯrt, ˈrē-ˌ\
Definition of RETORT
transitive verb
: to treat (as oil shale) by heating in a retort
First Known Use of RETORT
1850
RETORT Defined for Kids
1retort
verb re·tort \ri-ˈtȯrt\
re·tort·edre·tort·ing
Definition of RETORT for Kids
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.>
2retort
noun
Definition of RETORT for Kids
: a quick, clever, or angry reply
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.
Medical Dictionary
retort
noun re·tort \ri-ˈtȯ(ə)rt, ˈrē-ˌ\
Medical Definition of RETORT
: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
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