retort
1
[ ri-tawrt ]
/ rɪˈtɔrt /
verb (used with object)
to reply to, usually in a sharp or retaliatory way; reply in kind to.
to return (an accusation, epithet, etc.) upon the person uttering it.
to answer (an argument or the like) by another to the contrary.
noun
a severe, incisive, or witty reply, especially one that counters a first speaker's statement, argument, etc.
the act of retorting.
Origin of retort
1
1590–1600; < Latin
retortus (past participle of
retorquēre to bend back), equivalent to
re-
re- +
torqu(ēre) to twist, bend +
-tus past participle suffix, with
-qut- >
-t-
SYNONYMS FOR retort
synonym study for retort
4. See
answer.
OTHER WORDS FROM retort
re·tort·er, nounWords nearby retort
Definition for retort (2 of 2)
retort
2
[ ri-tawrt ]
/ rɪˈtɔrt /
noun
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.
a sterilizer for food cans.
verb (used with object)
to sterilize food after it is sealed in a container, by steam or other heating methods.
Chemistry.
to subject (shale, ore, etc.) to heat and possibly reduced pressure in order to produce fuel oil, metal, etc.
Origin of retort
2
1550–60; < Middle French
retorte < Medieval Latin
retorta, noun use of feminine of Latin
retortus; see
retort1
Example sentences from the Web for retort
British Dictionary definitions for retort (1 of 2)
retort
1
/ (rɪˈtɔːt) /
verb
(when tr, takes a clause as object)
to utter (something) quickly, sharply, wittily, or angrily, in response
to use (an argument) against its originator; turn the tables by saying (something)
noun
a sharp, angry, or witty reply
an argument used against its originator
Derived forms of retort
retorter, nounWord Origin for retort
C16: from Latin
retorquēre to twist back, from
re- +
torquēre to twist, wrench
British Dictionary definitions for retort (2 of 2)
retort
2
/ (rɪˈtɔːt) /
noun
a glass vessel with a round bulb and long tapering neck that is bent down, used esp in a laboratory for distillation
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
verb
(tr)
to heat in a retort
Word Origin for retort
C17: from French
retorte, from Medieval Latin
retorta, from Latin
retorquēre to twist back; see
retort
1
Medical definitions for retort
retort
[ rĭ-tôrt′, rē′tôrt′ ]
n.
A closed laboratory vessel with an outlet tube, used for distillation, sublimation, or decomposition by heat.
Scientific definitions for retort
retort
[ rĭ-tôrt′, rē′- ]
A glass laboratory vessel in the shape of a bulb with a long, downward-pointing outlet tube. It is used for distillation or decomposition by heat.