Retort

v. t.	1.	To bend or curve back; as, a retorted line. [imp. & p. p. Retorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retorting.] 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.
v. i.	1.	To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply.
n.	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.	(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.

Noun	1.	retort - a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one); "it brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher" Synonyms: comeback, rejoinder, riposte, replication, counter, return
	2.	retort - a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
Verb	1.	retort - answer back Synonyms: riposte, rejoin, repay, come back, return

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