As when his virtues, shining upon others, Heat them and they retort
that heat again To the first giver.
Shak.
3. To return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility; as,
to retort the charge of vanity.
And with retorted scorn his back he turned.
Milton.
Re*tort", v. i. To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe
reply. Pope.
Re*tort", n. [See Retort, v. t.] 1. The return of, or reply to, an
argument, charge, censure, incivility, taunt, or witticism; a quick and
witty or severe response.
This is called the retort courteous.
Shak.
2. [F. retorte (cf. Sp. retorta), fr. L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere.
So named from its bent shape. See Retort, v. t.] (Chem. & the Arts) A
vessel in which substances are subjected to distillation or
decomposition by heat. It is made of different forms and materials for
different uses, as a bulb of glass with a curved beak to enter a
receiver for general chemical operations, or a cylinder or semicylinder
of cast iron for the manufacture of gas in gas works.
Tubulated retort (Chem.), a retort having a tubulure for the
introduction or removal of the substances which are to be acted upon.
Syn. -- Repartee; answer. -- Retort, Repartee. A retort is a short and
pointed reply, turning back on an assailant the arguments, censure, or
derision he had thrown out. A repartee is usually a good-natured return
to some witty or sportive remark.
Re*tort"er (?), n. One who retorts.
Re*tor"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. rétorsion. See Retort, v. t.] 1. Act of
retorting or throwing back; reflection or turning back. [Written also
retorsion.]
It was, however, necessary to possess some single term expressive
of this intellectual retortion.
Sir W. Hamilton.