1a. To reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner. See synonyms at answer. b. To present a counterargument to. 2. To return in kind; pay back.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To make a reply, especially a quick, caustic, or witty one. 2. To present a counterargument. 3. To return like for like; retaliate.
NOUN:
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.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin retorqure, retort-, to bend back, retort : re-, re- + torqure, to bend, twist; see terkw- in Appendix I.
r
-tôrt
re, retort-, to bend back, retort : re-, re- + torqu
