Retort
/rɪˈtɔːrt/noun
A sharp, quick reply; also a vessel used in distillation.
Did you know?The word’s chemical meaning comes from the shape of the distillation flask, while the speaking sense developed from the idea of a response “turned back” at someone.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
retortus
“twisted back; bent back”
Late Latin
Latin
retortāre
“to twist back; to turn back”
Old French
Old French
retorter
“to twist back; to answer sharply”
14th Century
English
retorte
“a curved vessel used in distillation”
16th Century
English
retort
“a sharp reply; later also a distillation vessel”
Modern English
English
retort
“a sharp, often cutting reply; also a laboratory distillation vessel”