Etymology

retort

re·tort
R1E1T1O1R1T1

Today it means: A sharp or witty reply, or one which turns an argument against its originator; a comeback. Full definition →

Middle English retorte ← Latin retortus
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retort · noun, verb1

  1. Latin · derived fromretortus
  2. Middle English · inherited fromretorte
  3. English todayretort

From Middle English retorte, from Latin retortus, from retorquēre (“to be forced to twist back”).

retort · noun, verb2

  1. French · derived fromretorte
  2. English todayretort

From French retorte.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.