retorsionn.
/rᵻˈtɔːʃn/, U.S. /rəˈtɔrʃ(ə)n/, /riˈtɔrʃ(ə)n/ 1. A backwards turn or bend; a twist; the fact of being twisted or bent backwards. Cf. retortion n.1 2.In quot. 1609 as part of an extended metaphor.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > specific directions > [noun] > turning backwards
retorsion1605
retortion1608
retroversion1661
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. iii. 78 Our Sea: whose diuers-brancht retorsions Deuide the World in three vnequall Portions.
1609 T. Morton Catholike Appeale xvi. 407 But let them set vpon this argument (if they can) an edge of steele; the sharper it is, and the more vehemently they strike Protestants therewith, the more deadly will it wound themselues, when by a iust retorsion it shall be turned (as it were) into their owne bowels.
1746 R. James Mod. Pract. Physic I. 97 At this time the redness, heat, pain, tumour, retorsion of the lips, and fever cease.
1788 N. Tucker tr. E. Swedenborg Wisdom of Angels iii. 215 The Contraction or shutting of this Degree is like the Retorsion of a Spire the contrary Way.
1873 tr. E. Swedenborg True Christian Relig. 441 A man that is hunch-backed,..if he lifts his head towards heaven, does it by a violent retorsion of the muscles.
1901 M. G. de Bruin Bovine Obstetrics iii. 167 By exerting pressure from without upon the calf and in a direction opposite to the torsion, retorsion may be effected.
1998 S. Z. H. Jafri et al. Lower Genitourinary Radiol. 264/1 Bilateral orchiopexy should be performed to prevent the possibility of retorsion of either testicle.
2. Originally: †the act of giving something back or in return (obsolete). Later: the action or an act of retorting an argument, charge, etc. Cf. retortion n.1 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > [noun] > by turning argument against opponent
retorting1509
retortion1574
recrimination1585
retorsion1624
retortment1649
discriminationa1670
whataboutery1974
whataboutism1978
1624 J. Lewis Vnmasking of Masse-priest 48 This is loue indeede, farre transcending the loue of any creature, which ought to beget in vs true thankfulnesse and a holy retorsion of loue againe.
1656 T. Blount Acad. Eloquence (ed. 2) 208 What you could not divert, by a just disclaim; you can stop, by an exaggerated retorsion.
1693 Apol. Clergy Scotl. 88 The reasonings of it are so clear, the historical retorsions so undeniable.
1720 M. Malard Addr. & Representation Grievances to King George 75 A Retorsion of an Argument is no Solution.
1878 Catholic World July 486/1 Whatever he [sc. a pantheist] may say..can always..be retorted against himself; and when the retorsion is pushed on to its last consequences, his defeat takes the aspect of an atheistic victory.
1890 Sat. Rev. 14 June 748/1 The first requisite..of all satire, and especially of political, is that, like a good dilemma, it should be incapable of ‘retorsion’.
1988 Vigiliae Christianae Sept. 210 He..forwards a positive argument, a startling ‘retorsion’ of the Roman indictment which underscored the constructive role of Christianity in and for Roman society.
2008 J. M. Schott Christianity, Empire, & Making of Relig. ii. 71 Porphyry's temporal location of Christianity in the time of the Caesars is an effective retorsion of Christian arguments for the synchrony of Christ's advent and the beginning of the Principate.
3. Return for something done; retaliation. Now chiefly: (International Law) retaliation within the law by a state on another's subjects; an instance of this. Cf. retortion n.1 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > retaliation or retribution
yieldinga1340
talion1412
retributiona1425
recompensec1425
recompensationa1513
requitement1548
retaliation1581
lex talionis1597
requital1597
retaling1597
taliationa1601
law of retalion1607
talio1611
retail1615
retorsion1637
repercussion1641
retributing1645
reddition1656
retortion1762
poetical justice1796
utu1828
retort1836
quits1865
poetic justice1991
1637 Articles of Composition 10 in H. Hexham True & Briefe Relation Famous Seige Breda The Pastors of the Barronie of Breda..may keepe their incomes, as they did before the retorsion was made.
1742 in Coll. State Papers J. Thurloe II. 30 The said deputies..be sent forthwith to England..to procure, that as soon as possible, all hostility and retorsion may cease, and a suspension of arms may be made.
1839 W. O. Manning Comm. Law Nations ii. 105 There are various methods, of a forcible nature, by which a state may obtain justice for its injured subjects, and which do not interrupt the relations of amity. One of these is called Retorsion.
1880 Encycl. Brit. XIII. 194/1 ‘Retorsion’, or retaliating on the foreign nation or its subjects, by similar injuries to those inflicted on us.
1935 T. A. Taracouzio Soviet Union & Internat. Law x. 297 Retorsion..consists in treating a foreign state or its citizens, which have committed acts which, while not illegal, are unfair or injurious, in a similar manner... It is a method of securing fair treatment, rather than a means of punishment or vengeance.
1966 Proc. U.S. Naval Inst. Nov. 89 Retorsion consists of legal but deliberately unfriendly acts with a retaliatory or coercive purpose.
2000 A. Aust Mod. Treaty Law & Pract. xxi. 304 Retorsion..describes the imposing of a penalty which does not involve any unlawful measure.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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