Dictionary entry

Retortion

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Re‐tor″tion (?), n. [Cf. F. rétorsion. See Retort, v. t.] 1. Act of retorting or throwing back; reflection or turning back. [Written also retorsion.]

It was, however, necessary to possess some single term expressive of this intellectual retortion. Sir W. Hamilton.

2. (Law) Retaliation. Wharton.