5  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Retort  \Re*tort"\,  v.  i. 
  To  return  an  argument  or  a  charge;  to  make  a  severe  reply. 
  --Pope. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Retort  \Re*tort"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Retorted};  p.  pr  &  vb 
  n.  {Retorting}.]  [L.  retortus  p.  p.  of  retorquere  pref.  re- 
  re-  +  torquere  to  turn  twist.  See  {Torsion},  and  cf 
  {Retort},  n.,  2.] 
  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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Retort  \Re*tort"\,  n.  [See  {Retort},  v.  t.] 
  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.  [F.  retorte  (cf.  Sp  retorta),  fr  L.  retortus  p.  p.  of 
  retorquere  So  named  from  its  bent  shape.  See  {Retort},  v. 
  t.]  (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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Tubulated  \Tu"bu*la`ted\,  a. 
  Made  in  the  form  of  a  small  tube;  provided  with  a  tube,  or 
  elongated  opening. 
 
  {Tubulated  bottle}  or  {retort}  (Chem.),  a  bottle  or  retort 
  having  a  stoppered  opening  for  the  introduction  or  removal 
  of  materials. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  retort 
  n  1:  a  reply  to  a  question  or  remark  (especially  a  witty  or 
  critical  one);  "it  brought  a  sharp  rejoinder  from  the 
  teacher"  [syn:  {rejoinder},  {return},  {riposte},  {comeback}] 
  2:  a  vessel  where  substances  are  distilled  or  decomposed  by 
  heat 
  v  :  answer  back  [syn:  {come  back},  {repay},  {return},  {riposte}, 
  {rejoin}] 

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