Rejoinder
/rɪˈdʒɔɪn.dər/noun
A reply, especially a quick or sharp one in response to an argument or remark.
Did you know?Rejoinder comes through Anglo-French and Old French from Latin *re-* + *jungere* (“to join”), so its hidden history is less “argument” and more “to re-attach a response to what was just said.”
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
re- + iungere
“to join again; to bind or connect back”
Old French
Old French
rejoindre
“to rejoin, come back together, or answer in return”
Middle English
English
rejoindre / rejoindre(n)
“to answer or reply, especially in legal or verbal exchange”
16th Century
English
rejoinder
“a reply or retort, especially in debate or law”
Modern English
English
rejoinder
“a quick, often sharp response to a statement or argument”