Definition: retort

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

retort
     n 1: a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or
          critical one); "it brought a sharp rejoinder from the
          teacher" [syn: rejoinder, return, riposte, comeback]
     2: a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by
        heat
     v : answer back [syn: come back, repay, return, riposte,
          rejoin]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Retort \Re*tort"\, v. i.
   To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply.
   --Pope.

Retort \Re*tort"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retorted; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Retorting.] [L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere; pref. re-
   re- + torquere to turn twist. See Torsion, and cf.
   Retort, n., 2.]
   1. To bend or curve back; as, a retorted line.

            With retorted head, pruned themselves as they
            floated.                              --Southey.

   2. To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect.

            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.

Retort \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.

   Usage: 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.

Tubulated \Tu"bu*la`ted\, a.
   Made in the form of a small tube; provided with a tube, or
   elongated opening.

   Tubulated bottle or retort (Chem.), a bottle or retort
      having a stoppered opening for the introduction or removal
      of materials.