Library / English Dictionary

RETORT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("retort" is a kind of...):

vessel (an object used as a container (especially for liquids))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "retort"):

alembic (an obsolete kind of container used for distillation; two retorts connected by a tube)

Holonyms ("retort" is a part of...):

still (an apparatus used for the distillation of liquids; consists of a vessel in which a substance is vaporized by heat and a condenser where the vapor is condensed)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)

Example:

it brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher

Synonyms:

comeback; counter; rejoinder; replication; retort; return; riposte

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("retort" is a kind of...):

reply; response (the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "retort"):

back talk; backtalk; lip; mouth; sass; sassing (an impudent or insolent rejoinder)

Derivation:

retort (answer back)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Answer back

Synonyms:

come back; rejoin; repay; retort; return; riposte

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "retort" is one way to...):

answer; reply; respond (react verbally)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Sentence example:

They retort that there was a traffic accident

Derivation:

retort (a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one))

Credits

 Context examples: 

“It is such men as he,” retorted Micheldene, “who are like rats in a wheat-rick or moths in a woolfels, a harm and a hindrance to all peaceful and honest men.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mr. Woodhouse's peculiarities and fidgetiness were sometimes provoking him to a rational remonstrance or sharp retort equally ill-bestowed.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

“I am surprised, Captain Bulkeley,” Cochran retorted hotly, “that you should venture to couple the names of privateersman and King’s officer.”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A large curved retort was boiling furiously in the bluish flame of a Bunsen burner, and the distilled drops were condensing into a two-litre measure.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Enough, too,” retorted George.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Lady Lucas could not be insensible of triumph on being able to retort on Mrs. Bennet the comfort of having a daughter well married; and she called at Longbourn rather oftener than usual to say how happy she was, though Mrs. Bennet's sour looks and ill-natured remarks might have been enough to drive happiness away.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“Couldn't have done it, my dear!” retorted Mr. Omer.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"You ain't told me yours, yet," she retorted.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“Oh, yes, I can,” I retorted. “I’m doing it now.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I thought I might have retorted the question on him who put it: but I would not take that freedom.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)