Retorting

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
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              With retorted head, pruned themselves as they
              floated.                              --Southey.
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     2. To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect.
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              As when his virtues, shining upon others,
              Heat them and they retort that heat again
              To the first giver.                   --Shak.
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     3. To return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or
        incivility; as, to retort the charge of vanity.
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              And with retorted scorn his back he turned.
                                                    --Milton.
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