repartee

[ rep-er-tee, -tey, -ahr- ]
/ ˌrɛp ərˈti, -ˈteɪ, -ɑr- /

noun

a quick, witty reply.
conversation full of such replies.
skill in making such replies.

Origin of repartee

1635–45; < French repartie retort, noun use of feminine past participle of repartir, Middle French, equivalent to re- re- + partir to part

SYNONYMS FOR repartee

2 banter, sparring, fencing.

Example sentences from the Web for repartee

British Dictionary definitions for repartee

repartee
/ (ˌrɛpɑːˈtiː) /

noun

a sharp, witty, or aphoristic remark made as a reply
terse rapid conversation consisting of such remarks
skill in making sharp witty replies or conversation

Word Origin for repartee

C17: from French repartie, from repartir to retort, from re- + partir to go away