to retort an argument

См. также в других словарях:

• 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. [1913 Webster] This is called the retort courteous. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. [F …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• 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. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Retort — Re*tort , v. i. To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply. Pope. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• retort — retort1 [ri tôrt′] vt. [< L retortus, pp. of retorquere, to twist back < re , back + torquere, to twist: see TORT] 1. to turn (an insult, epithet, deed, etc.) back upon the person from whom it came 2. to answer (an argument, etc.) in kind 3 …   English World dictionary

• retort — 1. 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 …   Useful english dictionary

• retort — I. verb Etymology: Latin retortus, past participle of retorquēre, literally, to twist back, hurl back, from re + torquēre to twist more at torture Date: circa 1557 transitive verb 1. to pay or hurl back ; return < retort an insult > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• retort — re|tort1 [ rı tɔrt ] verb transitive 1. ) to reply immediately in an angry or humorous way to something that someone has said: Mind your own business! she retorted. 2. ) FORMAL to give something as an argument in reply to someone else s argument …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

• retort — retort1 retorter, n. /ri tawrt /, v.t. 1. to reply to, usually in a sharp or retaliatory way; reply in kind to. 2. to return (an accusation, epithet, etc.) upon the person uttering it. 3. to answer (an argument or the like) by another to the… …   Universalium

• retort — 1. noun /rɪˈtɔːt,rəˈtoʊrt/ a) A sharp or witty reply, or one which turns an argument against its originator. , 1893, A large curved retort was boiling furiously in the bluish flame of a Bunsen burner, and the distilled drops were condensing into… …   Wiktionary

• retort — I re•tort [[t]rɪˈtɔrt[/t]] v. t. 1) to reply to, usu. in a sharp or retaliatory way 2) to return (an accusation, epithet, etc.) upon the person uttering it 3) to answer (an argument or the like) by another to the contrary 4) to reply, esp.… …   From formal English to slang

• retort — I. /rəˈtɔt / (say ruh tawt) verb (t) 1. to reply in retaliation; make a retort or retorts, often quickly and sharply; reply in kind to. 2. to return (an accusation, epithet, etc.) upon the person uttering it. 3. to answer (an argument or the… …