RETORT

n. & v. --n. 1 an incisive or witty or angry reply. 2 the turning of a charge or argument against its originator. 3 a piece of retaliation. --v. 1 a tr. say by way of a retort. b intr. make a retort. 2 tr. repay (an insult or attack) in kind. 3 tr. (often foll. by on, upon) return (mischief, a charge, sarcasm, etc.) to its originator. 4 tr. (often foll. by against) make (an argument) tell against its user. 5 tr. (as retorted adj.) recurved; twisted or bent backwards. [L retorquere retort- (as RE-, torquere twist)]