retort

/ri-ˈtȯrt/

Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally, to twist back, hurl back, from re- + torquēre to twist

verb

  1. to pay or hurl back : return

  2. to make a reply to

  3. to say in reply

retort an insult

noun

  1. a quick, witty, or cutting reply; especially : one that turns back or counters the first speaker's words

answer response reply rejoinder retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return. answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need. response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

noun

  1. a vessel or chamber in which substances are distilled or decomposed by heat