retortion

[ ri-tawr-shuh n ]
/ rɪˈtɔr ʃən /

noun

the act of turning or bending back.
retaliation.
International Law. retorsion.

Origin of retortion

1585–95; < Medieval Latin retortiōn- (stem of retortiō), equivalent to Latin retort(us) (see retort1) + -iōn- -ion

Words nearby retortion

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

Definition for retortion (2 of 2)

retorsion

or re·tor·tion

[ ri-tawr-shuh n ]
/ rɪˈtɔr ʃən /

noun International Law.

retaliation or reprisal by one state identical or similar to an act by an offending state, such as high tariffs or discriminating duties.

Origin of retorsion

1650–60; < Medieval Latin retorsiōn- (stem of retorsiō, variant of retortiō); see retortion

British Dictionary definitions for retortion (1 of 2)

retortion
/ (rɪˈtɔːʃən) /

noun

the act of retorting
a variant spelling of retorsion

British Dictionary definitions for retortion (2 of 2)

retorsion
/ (rɪˈtɔːʃən) /

noun

rare retaliatory action taken by a state whose citizens have been mistreated by a foreign power by treating the subjects of that power similarly; reprisal

Word Origin for retorsion

C17: from French; see retort 1