A retort; a reply. Also: the action of replying.

figurative. Ready answer or argument. Obsolete. rare.

The act of casting back or returning something.

A sharp reply or riposte. Cf. retort, n.2 2a. Obsolete.

A sharp, incisive reply, a riposte; esp. a reply that turns a charge or argument against its originator.

Apparently: a rejoinder, a retort. Obsolete. rare.

In extended use: a retaliatory action, a counterstroke; a reply or response, esp. one which is sharp and quickly delivered.

Originally U.S. A quick retaliatory reply, esp. to a critical remark.

(a) A responsive action. (b) A rejoinder, a reply.

Of a speech, sentence, book, word, etc.: Having a small extent from beginning to end; brief. Phrases, to make a long story short: see long, adj.1 n.1…