DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 re·tort /rɪˈtɔrt/
 反駁,頂嘴,蒸餾器,曲頸瓶(vi.)反駁,回嘴,反擊(vt.)反擊,反駁,提純

 re·tort /rɪˈtɔ(ə)rt, ˈrɪˌ/ 名詞

 Re·tort, v. i. To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply.

 Re·tort, n.
 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.  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.
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 Re·tort v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retorting.]
 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
      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, replication,
            comeback, counter]
      2: a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by
         heat
      v : answer back [syn: come back, repay, return, riposte,
           rejoin]