retort

«retort» in Mova's school dictionary: To answer quickly and sharply, often in an angry or… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

part of speech

verb (retort, retorts, retorted, retorting); noun (a retort, retorts)

meaning for a pupil

1) To answer quickly and sharply, often in an angry or clever way. tree →

2) (noun) A quick, sharp or clever reply. tree →

3) (science, old) A glass container with a long bent neck used for heating and distilling liquids. tree →

sense in the lessons

In stories it is a speech verb instead of «said»: «"Not likely!" she retorted». It tells the reader the answer was quick and cheeky or angry. In history of science pictures of old laboratories show retorts. Phrases: «retorted angrily», «a witty retort».

examples

• «You started it!» he retorted. tree →
• She had a clever retort for every joke. tree →
• «I'm not scared,» retorted the mouse. tree →
• The alchemist heated the liquid in a glass retort. tree →
• His rude retort got him in trouble. tree →
• When teased, she retorted with a smile. tree →
• "You do muddy it!" retorted the Wolf savagely. tree →

note

Regular verb: retorted. Good «said» alternative in story writing, but only for sharp replies. Pronounced «ri-TORT».

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «retort» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.