English
Etymology
Latin retorquere 'twist back'.
Pronunciation
a|UK IPA|/rɪ't�:t/, a|US IPA|/r��to�rt/
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-��(r)t|-��(r)t
Noun
en-noun
- A sharp or witty reply, or one which turns an argument against its originator.
- chemistry A flask with a rounded base and a long neck that is bent down and taper|tapered, used to heat a liquid for distillation.
#:*1893, 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. � Arthur Conan Doyle, �The Naval Treaty� (Norton 2005, p.670)
- A container in which material is subjected to high temperature|temperatures as part of an industrial manufacturing process, especially during the smelt|smelting and forge|forging of metal.
Verb
en-verb
- To say something sharp or witty in answer to a remark or accusation.
- To make a remark which reverses an argument upon its originator.
- To heat in a retort.
fr:retort
io:retort
ru:retort
fi:retort
te:retort
vi:retort
zh:retort
|