retortion
(rɪˈtɔːʃən)
[ad. med.L. retortiōn-em, noun of action f. L. retorquēre: see retort v.1 and cf. retorsion.]
1. The action or fact of bending or turning backwards; an instance of this. Also fig.
| 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. iii. 100 Our Sea: whose divers-branch'd retortions Divide the World in three un⁓equall portions. 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 35 Since the beginning of all ages, the Rivers have glyded quietly with⁓out retortion towards their Fountaines. 1663 J. Spencer Prodigies (1665) 253 They will appear (like the Staff of Egypt) either to break under, or, by an easie retortion, to pierce and wound it self. 1813 Forsyth Excursion Italy 234 The age, the expression, the retortion of head [etc.]. 1836–7 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. xlv. (1859) II. 497 Some occupation which, by concentrating our attention on external objects, shall divert it from a retortion on ourselves. |
† b. The process of treating in a retort. Obs.—1
| 1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 92 It is also called a distillation by retortion. |
† 2. a. A reply of the nature of a retort. Obs.
| 1609 [Bp. W. Barlow] Answ. Nameless Cath. 304 Neuer could this Censurer haue made a more vntimely and vnfitting retortion then at this instant. 1646 R. Baillie Anabaptism (1647) 159 Their retortion here upon us is very silly, that we do put Christian infants in as evill a condition as they. 1682 G. Vernon Life Heylin 235 The Retortion that Mr. Selden made to one in the House of Commons. |
† b. An answer made to an argument by converting it against the person using it. Obs.
| 1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie of God (1620) 28 The old Rhetoritians vsed to dissolue this kinde of argument..by retorting it, called in Greeke ἀντιστροϕὴ, a conuersion or retortion. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. ii. vii. 73 There are Syllogismes, long swords; Enthymems, short daggers;..Retortions, which are targets with a pike in the midst of them, both to defend and oppose. 1741 Warburton Div. Legat. (1765) II. 51, I..cannot profit by it, the argument lying exposed to so terrible a retortion. |
† c. The method or device of meeting an argument, etc., by retorting it. Obs.
| 1622 Malynes Anc. Law-Merch. 422 Deniall, is too hostile,..Retortion, is more wittie than profitable. 1654 Z. Coke Logick 181 Answer by Retortion, is when we shew that the mean or proof brought by the adversary maketh for us. 1679 C. Nesse Antid. agst. Popery 132 'Twas justly charged by way of retortion upon them. 1732 E. Erskine Serm. Wks. 1871 II. 49, I might answer by way of retortion. |
† d. Conversion of an argument, charge, etc., against another, or into an opposite sense. Obs.
| 1610 Bp. Hall Apol. Brownists 116 For your retortion of my Zoar and Sodome: I can giue you leaue to be wittie. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. x. xvii. §42 Mr. George Herbert..made a most ingenious retortion of this Hexastick. |
3. Return for something done; retaliation. Now spec. in international law (see quot. 1885).
| 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 126 He violated all rights..; And what I have done, was on equall retortion to his merit. 1762 Gentl. Mag. 322 In natural defence, and necessary retortion, they be treated as aggressors. a 1852 Webster Gibbons & Ogden Wks. 1858 VI. 5 (Funk), This act of New Jersey is called an act of retortion against the illegal and oppressive legislation of New York. 1885 P. Cobbett Cases Internat. Law 100 Retortion consists in treating the subjects of another State in the same way as that State has treated one's own subjects. Ibid., It is commonly laid down that retortion only extends to imperfect rights or mere rights of comity. |