Retort
Retort , transitive verb
[Latin retortus, past participle of retorquere; pref. re- re- + torquere to turn twist. See Torsion, and compare Retort, n., 2.]
1.
To bend or curve back; as, a retorted line.
With retorted head, pruned themselves as they floated.
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.
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.
Retort , intransitive verb
To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply. — Pope
Retort , noun
[See Retort, transitive verb]
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.
2.
(Chemistry & 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.
Collocations (1)
Tubulated retort (Chemistry) , a retort having a tubulure for the introduction or removal of the substances which are to be acted upon.