资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Retort \Re*tort"\, n. [See {Retort}, v. t.]
   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. [F. retorte (cf. Sp. retorta), fr. L. retortus, p. p. of
      retorquere. So named from its bent shape. See {Retort}, v.
      t.] (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.

   Syn: Repartee; answer.

   Usage: {Retort}, {Repartee}. A retort is a short and pointed
          reply, turning back on an assailant the arguments,
          censure, or derision he had thrown out. A repartee is
          usually a good-natured return to some witty or
          sportive remark.