retortive, a. rare.
(rɪˈtɔːtɪv)
[f. L. retort- (see retort v.1) + -ive.]
† 1. Of the nature of squeezing. Obs. rare—1.
| 1660 tr. Paracelsus' Archidoxis i. iv. 55 Separate this (by a Retortive process or pressing) from the feces. |
2. Turned backwards. (Cf. retorted ppl. a. 5.)
| 1807 J. Barlow Columb. v. 466 From all his guileful plots the veil they drew, With eye retortive looked creation thro. |
3. Of the nature of a retort; characterized by retorts.
| 1826 G. S. Faber Diffic. Romanism (1853) 238 The apt answer of Blandina, though thrown into the form of a retortive question, is implicatively a palpable denial. 1949 G. B. Shaw in Strand Mag. July 20/2 A trumpery farce may win an uproarious success by its retortive back⁓chat. |