Category:Retort

Re*tort", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retorting.] Etym: [l. retortus, p. p. of retorquere; pref. re- re- + torquere to Turn twist. See torsion, and cf. Retort, n., 2.]

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.

Retort Re*tort", v. i.

Defn: to return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply. Pope.

Retort Re*tort", n. Etym: [see retort, v. t.]

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.