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Complete Definition of "retort"

English

Etymology
Latin retorquere 'twist back'.

Pronunciation
a|UK IPA|/rɪ'tɔ:t/, a|US IPA|/rəˈtoʊrt/
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-ɔː(r)t|-ɔː(r)t

Noun
en-noun

  1. A sharp or witty reply, or one which turns an argument against its originator.
  2. 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)

  1. 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

  1. To say something sharp or witty in answer to a remark or accusation.
  2. To make a remark which reverses an argument upon its originator.
  3. To heat in a retort.

fr:retort
io:retort
ru:retort
fi:retort
te:retort
vi:retort
zh:retort

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