\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.

\Re*tort"\, v. i.
To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply.
--Pope.

\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.