retort

Where does the word "retort" come from? It comes from Latin torquere, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Retort’s story begins in Latin: torquere meant “to twist.” To twist, combined with re- (back). Within Latin, it grew into retorquere by ancient. To twist back, to turn against, from re- and torquere. It reached English by 1500s as retort. Settled as the English word for a quick, sharp, or witty reply. Today, retort means a quick, sharp, or witty reply, especially to a criticism.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient torquere "to twist", to twist, combined with re- (back).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient retorquere "to twist back, to turn against", to twist back, to turn against, from re- and torquere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s retort "a quick, sharp, or witty reply", settled as the English word for a quick, sharp, or witty reply.