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# retort

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

«retort» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To answer quickly and sharply, often in an angry or clever way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#m1)
2. (noun) A quick, sharp or clever reply. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#m2)
3. (science, old) A glass container with a long bent neck used for heating and distilling liquids. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#m3)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#x1)
- She had a clever retort for every joke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#x2)
- «I'm not scared,» retorted the mouse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#x3)
- The alchemist heated the liquid in a glass retort. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#x4)
- His rude retort got him in trouble. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#x5)
- When teased, she retorted with a smile. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#x6)
- "You do muddy it!" retorted the Wolf savagely. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/#x7)

### Note

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

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «retort» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retort/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«retort» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/retort.html) on Mova free.