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retorter

 - 6 dictionary results

re⋅tort

1  [ri-tawrt]
Use retorter in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to reply to, usually in a sharp or retaliatory way; reply in kind to.
2. to return (an accusation, epithet, etc.) upon the person uttering it.
3. to answer (an argument or the like) by another to the contrary.
–noun
4. a severe, incisive, or witty reply, esp. one that counters a first speaker's statement, argument, etc.
5. the act of retorting.
Origin:
1590–1600; < L retortus (ptp. of retorquēre to bend back), equiv. to re- re- + torqu(ēre) to twist, bend + -tus ptp. suffix, with -qut- > -t-

Related forms:
re⋅tort⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. retaliate. 4. riposte, rejoinder, response. See answer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To retorter
re·tort 1   (rĭ-tôrt')   
v.   re·tort·ed, re·tort·ing, re·torts

v.   tr.

    1. To reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner. See Synonyms at answer.

    2. To present a counterargument to.

  2. To return in kind; pay back.

v.   intr.

  1. To make a reply, especially a quick, caustic, or witty one.

  2. To present a counterargument.

  3. To return like for like; retaliate.

n.  

  1. A quick incisive reply, especially one that turns the first speaker's words to his or her own disadvantage.

  2. The act or an instance of retorting.


[Latin retorquēre, retort-, to bend back, retort : re-, re- + torquēre, to bend, twist; see terkw- in Indo-European roots.]
re·tort'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

retort  (v.)
c.1557, from L. retortus, pp. of retorquere "turn back," from re- "back" + torquere "to twist" (see thwart). The noun is 1600, from the verb.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·tort
Pronunciation: ri-'to(&)rt, 'rE-"
Function: noun
: a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

retort re·tort (rĭ-tôrt', rē'tôrt')
n.
A closed laboratory vessel with an outlet tube, used for distillation, sublimation, or decomposition by heat.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
retort   (rĭ-tôrt', rē'-)  Pronunciation Key 
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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