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riposte

 - 2 dictionary results

ri⋅poste

  [ri-pohst] noun, verb, -post⋅ed, -post⋅ing.
Use riposte in a Sentence
–noun
1. a quick, sharp return in speech or action; counterstroke: a brilliant riposte to an insult.
2. Fencing. a quick thrust given after parrying a lunge.
–verb (used without object)
3. to make a riposte.
4. to reply or retaliate.
Also, ri⋅post.

Origin:
1700–10; < F, var. of risposte prompt answer < It risposta, n. use of fem. ptp. of rispondere to answer < VL *respondere for L respondēre; see respond
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To riposte
ri·poste   (rĭ-pōst')   
n.  

  1. Sports A quick thrust given after parrying an opponent's lunge in fencing.

  2. A retaliatory action, maneuver, or retort.

intr.v.   ri·post·ed, ri·post·ing, ri·postes

  1. To make a return thrust.

  2. To retort quickly.


[French, alteration of obsolete risposte, from Italian risposta, answer, from feminine past participle of rispondere, to answer, from Latin respondēre; see respond.]
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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